How does a starter work?:
The starter motor engages with a gear on the flywheel of the engine, to crank the engine, in order to make it fire. Without a starter, a car will not be able to start. A car starter is found near the transmission and is composed of the starter itself and the starter solenoid which is not engaged all of the time. It only engages when the key is turned to the start position.
How do I know if my starter is malfunctioning or needs replacement?:
The first indication your starter may be going bad is at the moment you try to start your vehicle. If you turn the key and simply hear a clicking sound, or nothing at all, then it may be the starter. To test whether it is your starter and not your battery, try turning on your vehicle headlights and if they work fine, it is most likely the starter and not the battery.
If the speed of the starter is off and it takes a bit for your car to crank to a start, then that may also indicate a problem with the starter. Again, if the headlights seem to work fine then it is probably the starter and not the battery.
Another indicator that your starter is going bad is a grinding noise when you try to start the vehicle. If there is grinding the starter drive gear is worn out or not engaging properly and will often produce a grinding noise that is similar to the one that is heard if you start your engine and then accidentally hit the starter again. If the grinding symptom is ignored, it may also result in damage to the engine flywheel.
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms and you think your starter is faulty, then it is time to take it in for service. At Cooper Brothers We’ll take care of it, contact us to schedule an appointment.