Symptoms of a bad starter shouldn't be ignored or you will soon find yourself with a long walk home at an inconvenient time. Symptoms of a bad starter can mimic other failing components so it's important to know the indications and slight differences that distinguish symptoms of a bad starter from other malfunctioning components.
1.
Step 1
Symptoms of a bad starter usually begin to show up with an intermittent response when cycling the ignition key. This means that when you try to start your car and turn the key all the way forward to crank the engine you will receive no response, or just a clicking noise. To make sure this isn't a battery problem turn on the headlights and the interior lights in your vehicle and see if they are bright or dim. Dim lights mean that it could have something to do with the battery and not the starter. You should never perform any starter tests without first knowing that your electrical system is in good working condition and your battery is fully charged. This is because a problem from the electrical system can seem like something from the starter, and vice versa.
2.
Step 2
Another thing that will fall in the category of symptoms of a bad starter is slow or labored cranking. This means that when you turn your key all the way forward to start the car that the engine will crank extremely slow. Sometimes this will be slow yet fast enough to start the car and other times it will be too slow to even start the vehicle. As long as the battery is completely charged and all of the other components are working well than this is a strong sign that something is wrong with the starter.
3.
Step 3
Freewheeling, and not releasing the starter gear are some of the final symptoms of a bad starter. When the starter tries to start the car a small gear moves out and meshes with the flywheel or flex plate on the engine and the starter then turns the flywheel or flex plate to start the engine. Once the engine starts the little gear on the starter moves back inside it so it doesn't get stripped or worn out. When the starter begins to go bad this small gear gets worn out and spins and spins until it finally catches a tooth, which is known as freewheeling. Sometimes when it doesn't retract or release properly it will stay connected with the flywheel or flex plate gear while the engine is still running and get ground down. Both of these things will sound like a grinding or whining/spinning electric motor noise when you try and start your engine. It will be loud and you will notice it. If you have ever accidentally tried to start your engine once it's already running - that is the sound it will make.
4.
Step 4
Most auto parts stores will test starters for free if you remove them and bring them in. If you don't think that you are up to the task of this or don't have the knowledge it's better to let a professional handle it than injure yourself or make your vehicle unsafe in the process.
1.
Step 1
Symptoms of a bad starter usually begin to show up with an intermittent response when cycling the ignition key. This means that when you try to start your car and turn the key all the way forward to crank the engine you will receive no response, or just a clicking noise. To make sure this isn't a battery problem turn on the headlights and the interior lights in your vehicle and see if they are bright or dim. Dim lights mean that it could have something to do with the battery and not the starter. You should never perform any starter tests without first knowing that your electrical system is in good working condition and your battery is fully charged. This is because a problem from the electrical system can seem like something from the starter, and vice versa.
2.
Step 2
Another thing that will fall in the category of symptoms of a bad starter is slow or labored cranking. This means that when you turn your key all the way forward to start the car that the engine will crank extremely slow. Sometimes this will be slow yet fast enough to start the car and other times it will be too slow to even start the vehicle. As long as the battery is completely charged and all of the other components are working well than this is a strong sign that something is wrong with the starter.
3.
Step 3
Freewheeling, and not releasing the starter gear are some of the final symptoms of a bad starter. When the starter tries to start the car a small gear moves out and meshes with the flywheel or flex plate on the engine and the starter then turns the flywheel or flex plate to start the engine. Once the engine starts the little gear on the starter moves back inside it so it doesn't get stripped or worn out. When the starter begins to go bad this small gear gets worn out and spins and spins until it finally catches a tooth, which is known as freewheeling. Sometimes when it doesn't retract or release properly it will stay connected with the flywheel or flex plate gear while the engine is still running and get ground down. Both of these things will sound like a grinding or whining/spinning electric motor noise when you try and start your engine. It will be loud and you will notice it. If you have ever accidentally tried to start your engine once it's already running - that is the sound it will make.
4.
Step 4
Most auto parts stores will test starters for free if you remove them and bring them in. If you don't think that you are up to the task of this or don't have the knowledge it's better to let a professional handle it than injure yourself or make your vehicle unsafe in the process.
