6 Signs of the Car Starter Going Bad!

When you turn your key in the ignition do you just hear clicking sounds instead of the engine coming to life? Finally, the engine turns over and you’re on your way. Are you wondering what’s wrong with your car? If this is your situation, you probably want to know more about the signs of the car starter going bad. It also means you will want to pay a visit to your mechanic for some needed auto electrical repair.

The starter system is meant to be durable--designed for repeated use under a variety of weather and road conditions. But the wear and tear of daily use, extreme conditions, and poor maintenance can all create problems.

There are several symptoms that can indicate a bad or failing starter—many of which can also be caused by the alternator or the battery, key components of the auto electrical system. It the batter is the culprit, it may not be packing enough juice to start your vehicle, or maybe you left your headlights on all night. Or maybe the battery is just old and needs to be replaced.

Or, the problem could be that the alternator is not doing its job of keeping the battery charged. If the alternator is shot, a warning light on the dash should illuminate (it looks like a car battery), meaning your vehicle is running strictly off the battery.

Listed below are six signs of the car starter going bad:

1. Slow and intermittent starting. It could be a problem with the starter’s motor. If the problem is intermittent, it could be loose or dirty wiring or a damaged electrical component that is failing to work under certain conditions.
2. The Your vehicle won’t start. You turn the key (or push the start button), but the engine doesn’t crank. You may hear no sound at all or there may be a clicking or clunking noise. The problem could be related to the starter motor, the solenoid or the electrical system.
3. The interior lights dim. If the lights dim when you try to start the car, it can be a sign of a short circuit in the starter motor’s internal wiring. This condition causes the starter motor to draw excess current, leaving less for the vehicle’s other systems. If you notice a chugging sound along with the dimming lights, the bearings in the motor may be failing.
4. You hear a grinding noise when the car is starting or running. The presence of grinding sounds indicates a mechanical problem, as opposed to an electrical problem. It may be an indication that the gears in the starter motor may be worn or not engaging correctly; they may not be disengaging after the engine starts, or the starter motor may be loose on its mountings.
5. A burning smell or smoke. Because the starter system is both electrical and mechanical, malfunctions often combine electrical problems with overheated metal components that are lubricated with grease. When these components heat up, it will give off a burning smell.
6. The starter is soaked with oil. The starter system sits near the bottom of the engine and gets very hot. Engine fluid can leak into the starter motor or other components, causing permanent damage.

Need to know more about the signs of the car starter going bad? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about auto electrical repair and to schedule an appointment for auto electrical repair and to find out more about signs of car starter going bad. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.