6 Common Symptoms Of A Bad Starter Motor

By Author: Car Services in Reading
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How often have you sat in your car, perplexed as to why it won't start?

Few things are more infuriating than a car that won't start in the morning, even if you parked it correctly the last time you used it.
A faulty alternator, a dead battery, or a faulty starter motor are the most common causes of a dead car. These car parts all work together to provide the electrical power required by the vehicle to start, run, and operate electrical features such as sound systems, wipers, and power windows.
As a result, in order to accurately distinguish and diagnose a starter problem in your vehicle, you must first learn the symptoms of a bad starter motor. If you're in Reading for a scheduled car service in Reading, seek advice from a mechanic if you're unsure. In this section, we'll look at the signs that a car starter is failing, the possible causes of starter damage, and how to fix a car with a faulty starter motor.

What is the definition of a starter motor?

To properly investigate vehicle starter motor problems, you must ...
... first understand what a starter motor is and what functions it performs in a vehicle's operation. A starter motor is a car component that converts electrical energy from a battery into mechanical energy by rotating the crank of an internal combustion engine to start it from rest and initiate engine function.

How does the starter motor work?

When you turn on the ignition, the starter solenoid receives power from the car battery. The solenoid relays this battery power to the starter motor. While powering the starter motor, the starter solenoid moves the starter gear to align it with the flex plate. After receiving power, the starter motor cranks the engine, proportionally mixing fuel and oxygen to allow combustion and, as a result, the car begins to run.

What are the most common indications of a faulty starter motor?

Motors and starter solenoids almost never fail unexpectedly. They fail gradually and emit several warning signals along the way, and if you are vigilant, you can intervene before they fail by searching online for full car service near me and requesting a professional to repair the problem. As a result, keep an eye out for the following bad starter symptoms, which can help you determine the root cause of your starter issues before it completely dies off:
1. Weird Sounds When Starting the Car

The first sign of a faulty starter motor is unusual sounds when turning the key or pressing the start button to start your vehicle. You may have previously heard strange clicking sounds. Some beginners, on the other hand, can skip the clicking sounds and go straight to the more alarming whirring and grinding noises, indicating that they are already severely damaged. When the starter drive gear fails to engage properly due to age and wear, the sounds begin. The whirling or grinding sound is similar to what you hear when you turn on the ignition for the second time after the first.

2. Freewheeling

When you turn on the ignition and hear a whining noise but the car does not start, this is referred to as freewheeling. You might even be able to jumpstart your car, but it won't start. Because the starter motor is unable to engage with the flywheel, this unfortunate event occurs. This is an emergency situation that may necessitate the replacement of the entire component by searching for a car service near me. When you experience freewheeling, don't just replace the starter motor; instead, have your vehicle inspected to determine the underlying issues that caused the starter to fail.

3. The car finally started after several attempts

A well-functioning vehicle should start on the first turn of the ignition key. Make several attempts to turn on the ignition before the vehicle starts to see if the starter relay is faulty. The purpose of a starter relay is not to send only a portion of the current. It either sends a sufficient amount of energy or does not send anything at all. Damaged relays necessitate multiple attempts to send the current needed to power the vehicle. A worn-out starter motor brush can occasionally cause this problem. These brushes conduct electricity from the stationary to the rotating parts of the vehicle starter. As a result, damaged or worn-out brushes that do not transmit adequate power efficiently can interfere with the vehicle's starter relay process.

4. Starter motor remains working after starting the car

After starting the car and releasing the key or start button, the starter motor closes and disengages automatically. If this does not happen and the starter motor continues to run after the vehicle engine has started, it is a sign that the starter Bendix is faulty or that the main contacts of the solenoid are stuck together in the closed position. You should contact a mechanic who knows how to unstick a starter motor because it could cause damage to your car's components.

5. Smoke Emission After Starting Attempts

Because the car starting process is heavily reliant on electrical procedures, the system is prone to short circuits, blown fuses, and other electrical malfunctions. When an electrical system component is given more power than it can handle, it will blow a fuse or overheat. This could be due to connectivity issues or extended periods of driving without rest. Most likely, you'll sell smoke and then notice it coming from under the engine. Overheating and some emissions in a vehicle is a dangerous sign because gasoline is flammable and can explode with a small spark. Get out of your car as soon as you notice this symptom and contact your mechanic.

6. Starter Motor Covered in Oil

If you notice any of the above symptoms and suspect a starter, bad battery, or alternator problem, our first instinct will be to open the hood and investigate. Do not restart the vehicle if you inspect the starter and find it soaked in oil. You most likely have a burst pipe or hose, which allowed oil to leak and caused your starter to fail. Determine and repair the source of the leak before proceeding.