What are the 6 most common signs of a bad starter motor?

How many times have you sat in your car, baffled as to why it won't start? There are few things more aggravating than a vehicle that won't start in the morning, even if you parked it properly the last time you used it. The most common causes of a dead car are a faulty alternator, a dead battery, or a faulty starter motor. These car parts all work together to provide the vehicle with the electrical power needed 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 your car with a starter problem, you must first learn the symptoms of a bad starter motor. When in for a scheduled car service in Reading, if in doubt, seek advice from a mechanic. Here we will look at the signs that a car starter is failing, the possible causes of starter damage, and how to fix a car with an already faulty starter motor.

What exactly is a starter motor?

To properly investigate vehicle starter motor problems, you must first understand what a starter motor is and what functions it serves in the operation of a vehicle. 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 initiate engine function and start it from rest. How does the starter motor function?

The starter solenoid receives energy from the car battery when you turn on the ignition. This battery power is relayed to the starter motor by the solenoid. The starter solenoid moves the starter gear to align it with the flex plate while powering the starter motor. The starter motor cranks the engine after receiving power, and it proportionally mixes fuel and oxygen to allow combustion and therefore, the car starts running.

Common Signs of a Faulty Starter Motor

Starter solenoids and motors almost never fail unexpectedly. They fail gradually and emit several 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 fix the issue. As a result, keep an eye out for the following bad starter symptoms, which can assist you in determining the underlying cause of your starter problems before it completely dies off:

1. Strange Sounds When Starting the Car

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

2. Freewheeling

Freewheeling occurs when you turn on the ignition and hear a whining noise but the car does not start. You may even be able to jumpstart your vehicle, but it will not start. This unfortunate event occurs because the starter motor is unable to engage with the flywheel. This is a critical situation that may necessitate the replacement of the entire component by looking for car service near me. When you have freewheeling problems, don't just replace the starter motor, have your vehicle inspected to determine the underlying issues that caused the starter to fail.

3. After several attempts to start the car, it finally started

A well-functioning vehicle should start on the first turn of the ignition key. You can tell if the starter relay is bad by making several attempts to turn the ignition before the vehicle powers on. A starter relay is not intended to send only a portion of the current. It either sends enough energy or doesn't send anything at all. Damaged relays require several attempts to send the current required to power the vehicle. This issue is occasionally caused by a worn-out starter motor brush. These brushes conduct electricity from the vehicle starter's stationary to rotating parts. As a result, damaged or worn-out brushes that do not efficiently transmit adequate power can interfere with the vehicle's starter relay process.

4. Starter motor remains on after starting the car 

After starting and releasing the key or start button, the starter motor automatically closes and disengages. If this does not occur and the starter motor remains on after the vehicle engine has already started, it is a sign of a faulty starter Bendix or that the main contacts of the solenoid are stuck together in the closed position. You need to contact a mechanic with the expertise of how to unstick a starter motor because it could have damaging effects on your car parts.

5. Smoke Emission Following Starting Attempts

Because the car starting process is heavily reliant on electrical procedures, the system is susceptible to short-circuits, blown fuses, and other electrical malfunctions. When one component of the electrical system is given more power than it can handle, it will blow a fuse or overheat. This could be due to connectivity issues or prolonged vehicle use without rest. You'll most likely sell smoke and then notice it coming from under the engine. Overheating and some emission in a vehicle is a dangerous sign because gasoline is volatile and can explode with a slight ignition. As soon as you notice this symptom, get out of your car and contact your car mechanic.

6. Starter Motor Soaked in Oil

If you experience any of the above symptoms and suspect that you have a starter, bad battery, or alternator problem, our first instinct will be to open the hood and investigate. If you inspect your starter and find it soaked in oil, do not restart the vehicle. You most likely have a burst pipe or hose that caused the oil to leak and cause your starter to malfunction. Before proceeding, determine the source of the leak and resolve it.