It’s bad news when your vehicle’s starter starts acting up. What are the other symptoms of a bad starter, aside from not being able to get anywhere? Your battery powers the starter, which engages the engine and starts the car. The starter consists of two parts: the primary motor and the solenoid.
The primary motor rotates the crankshaft and starts the engine, while the solenoid (or relay) engages the starter’s drive gear and closes the electrical connections to the main motor. If either of the two sections fails at any point, you cannot move your automobile without a jumpstart or a tow.
Poor maintenance or normal wear and tear might both produce a starting problem. As you can expect, a starter experiences a lot of wear during its lifetime, thus problems are prevalent as a vehicle ages. Today, we will discuss various symptoms that may indicate a bad starter.
Identifying these warning signs can potentially prevent you from being stranded in a remote location. With that being said, we’ll uncover the answers to the following questions:
- How long does a car starter last?
- Can You Drive with A Bad Starter?
- What causes a car starter to go bad?
- Should you jumpstart a car with a bad starter?
- How do you troubleshoot a bad starter?
- How much does a starter replacement cost?
So, let’s get started!
Contents
Signs And Symptoms of a Bad Starter
Typically, a starter’s motor and relay do not fail suddenly. Here are a few symptoms to look out for:
- Strange noises like clinking, grinding, and buzzing. Ignoring these sounds can potentially cause damage to the engine flywheel.
- The engine will not start. When you turn the key or hit the start button, nothing happens.
- The car has intermittent starting issues. If you start your car and the engine doesn’t start right away but starts the second time, you most likely have a problem with the starter relay.
- There’s smoke coming from the car. The starter is an electrically driven mechanical system that can overheat. When the starter overheats, smoke will appear or smell from under the hood.
Read: How to Start a Car with a Bad Starter
How long does a car starter last?
A starter normally lasts between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. This, however, can vary based on the brand and model of your car, as well as how well you maintain it. If you detect any issues with your starter, have it checked out by a professional as soon as possible.
Can You Drive with A Bad Starter?
When your car’s starter fails, it can be difficult to drive. Driving with a defective starter might cause major engine damage or merely make your car difficult to start, depending on the degree of the problem. If you’re not sure whether it’s safe to drive with a bad starter, always speak with a skilled mechanic. However, driving with a malfunctioning starter is generally not recommended.
Here are a few of the reasons why. When a starter begins to fail, the engine may misfire. This can cause catastrophic engine damage over time. Furthermore, if the starter is having trouble starting the engine, this can put a strain on other components such as the battery and alternator.
This can lead to even more issues in the future. Another reason not to drive with a defective starter is that it can make starting your automobile difficult. If your starter is failing, you may find that your automobile takes longer to start than usual. In some circumstances, additional attempts may be required.
This not only wastes time and gas, but it is also inconvenient. If your car’s starter isn’t working properly, you should have it checked out by a professional as soon as possible.
What causes a car starter to go bad?
A bad beginning can result from a number of issues, including:
- Starter connections that are dirty or corroded
- The wire to and from the starter is frayed.
- Oil spills
- Battery deterioration
- Damaged or worn-out starter system components
- A faulty relay or fuse
Should you jumpstart a car with a bad starter?
You can technically jump-start a car with a bad starter by conducting a ‘push start.’ This is accomplished by accelerating the vehicle to a high enough speed and then slamming it into gear while the engine is still turned off.
This will allow the car’s momentum to move forward and start the engine. This is not, however, encouraged because it might do catastrophic harm to your vehicle. If your starter is not working properly, it is always preferable to get it serviced or replaced.
How do you troubleshoot a bad starter?
If you’ve previously tried to start and jumpstart your automobile, consider one of the troubleshooting tips below.
Check under the hood
Examine the battery and the battery wires to ensure that everything is in working order. Not the starter, but a weak or dead battery, or even broken battery cables, could be the source of your car’s difficulties.
Give the starter a light tap
Tap the starter a few times with a hard object, being careful not to pound it. Because you’ll be tapping the electrical components back into contact with each other, this gentle tapping may help power it back up in some circumstances. Do you know how you can bang on the side of an old TV to bring the image back into focus? That’s how it feels. However, just like your faulty television, your car may only respond temporarily to this fix—just long enough to get you to your nearest service shop.
Change the transmission
Assume your car’s automatic transmission is in “park,” but it won’t start. If this is the case, start the car in “neutral.” If it starts in “neutral,” there could be a technical problem stopping it from starting in “the park,” such as a malfunctioning neutral safety switch.
Inspect the fuel gauge
We know it sounds ridiculous, but…is your gas tank empty? That is a certain cause of your car not starting! Many times, tapping a poor starter is a quick repair. Jumpstarting your automobile will get it back on the road, at least temporarily, but you should have the situation checked out by a skilled mechanic. If a jumpstart or tap doesn’t work, you’ll probably need to have the car towed and the starter repaired or replaced. We can assist you with this. If any of these troubleshooting wasn’t able to help you figure out the issue, we recommend consulting a mechanic.
How much does a starter replacement cost?
A new starter might cost anything from $80 to $350—and that’s just for the part. You must also consider the cost of labor, which might range from $150 to $1,000. The cost of parts and labor ranges from $230 to more than $1,000.
However, for most vehicles, the total cost of a starting replacement (including both parts and labor) is around $500. So, it appears that your mechanic is charging you the industry standard for this service. Remember that the difference in labor expenses is mostly linked to the type of service.
To replace a car starter, the old one must be entirely removed from the engine compartment, which might result in significant labor costs. In other cars, the starter is more easily accessed, making the service reasonably rapid. Other cars, on the other hand, are more complex and take more time to access and repair.
Related Article
- How to Start a Car with a Bad Starter
- Causes and Symptoms of a bad flywheel
- Symptoms Of a Bad Timing Belt
- Starter not engaging: Causes and How to Diagnose the issue
- Where To Hit Starter With Hammer
- Understanding Engine Starter Motor
Watch the video below to learn more
FAQs
What are the effects of a faulty starter?
A faulty starter can prevent your vehicle from starting altogether. When the starter fails to engage or turn the engine over, the vehicle won’t start, and you may hear clicking or grinding noises. If left unresolved, a bad starter can lead to a complete inability to start the engine.
How do I know if it’s the starter or alternator?
If the engine doesn’t crank at all or cranks very slowly and you hear clicking sounds, it’s likely a starter problem. On the other hand, if the engine cranks but fails to start, and you notice dimming headlights or other electrical issues, it may indicate an alternator problem. A mechanic can perform tests to confirm the issue.
How do you check for starter problems?
If you suspect a starter problem, you can perform some basic checks. Make sure the battery is fully charged and in good condition. If the battery is fine but the engine still doesn’t crank, you can try tapping the starter lightly with a hammer while someone else attempts to start the vehicle. If this helps the starter engage, it might indicate a failing starter. However, it’s best to have a professional mechanic diagnose the issue for a proper assessment.
Does the starter affect the engine?
The starter is responsible for cranking the engine and getting it started. If the starter fails, the engine won’t be able to start, and your vehicle won’t run.
Does the starter affect the battery?
Yes, a faulty starter can put additional strain on the battery. When the starter motor draws excessive current or remains engaged for prolonged periods due to a fault, it can drain the battery’s power quickly.
How do you know if you need a new battery or starter?
If you turn the key, and the engine cranks very slowly or not at all, it could be a sign of a bad starter. However, if the engine cranks strongly but still doesn’t start, it may point to a weak battery or other issues, such as fuel system problems.
Will a bad starter still crank?
In some cases, a bad starter may still produce a cranking noise, but the engine won’t turn over. It might sound weak or sluggish, indicating that the starter is struggling to engage the engine.
What causes an engine starter to fail?
There are several reasons why a starter can fail, including worn-out internal components, electrical issues, damaged solenoids, or problems with the starter motor or drive gear.
How long do starters last?
The lifespan of a starter can vary depending on usage, vehicle type, and maintenance. In general, a well-maintained starter can last between 100,000 to 150,000 miles (approximately 160,000 to 240,000 kilometers).
How do you revive a bad starter?
Reviving a bad starter is not a typical repair. If a starter is failing, it’s usually best to replace it rather than attempt to revive it. Cleaning and lubricating the starter may offer temporary relief in some cases, but it won’t fix underlying issues. A qualified mechanic can determine if the starter can be repaired or needs replacement.
And that brings us to the end of this article, in which we talked about the symptoms of a bad starter. Nonetheless, the answers to the following questions were discussed:
- How long does a car starter last?
- Can You Drive with A Bad Starter?
- What causes a car starter to go bad?
- Should you jumpstart a car with a bad starter?
- How do you troubleshoot a bad starter?
- How much does a starter replacement cost?
Hope you learn a lot from the reading. If so, kindly share it with others. Thanks for reading; see you around!
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