Most vehicle owners have probably experienced starting problems at some point in time. Your car may start just fine one day, and the next, it won’t start at all. The first thought is that the battery may be dead. However, it is also possible that the starter or the alternator has gone bad. Although starters and alternators are designed strong enough to withstand a variety of road and weather conditions for many miles (at least 100,000 miles and possibly even the life of your car), the wear and tear of daily use, especially if you consistently drive a lot of miles, can start to cause problems.
Ask your mechanic to run a diagnostic to pinpoint the real cause of your starting problem—the starter, the alternator, or the battery. Once the culprit is determined, the appropriate repair can be made. However, many times the alternator and battery may be ruled out. This leaves the car starter as the cause of your problem:
So just what are the symptoms of a bad car starter?
- Cranking is slow and undependable—your car may start or it may not crank at all.
- You hear a grinding sound when the key is turned in the ignition.
- The lights are too dim and other electrical accessories don’t work properly.
- You smell hot oil or see smoke from oil that has leaked onto the starter.
A word of advice: If your car is having problems starting, don’t keep trying to force it to start. It could make the problem worse, plus drain the charge from your battery.
Have more questions about what are the symptoms of a bad car starter? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about starters, alternators, and car batteries, and to schedule an appointment. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.
Most vehicle owners have probably experienced starting problems at some point in time. Your car may start just fine one day, and the next, it won’t start at all. The first thought is that the battery may be dead. However, it is also possible that the starter or the alternator has gone bad. Although starters and alternators are designed strong enough to withstand a variety of road and weather conditions for many miles (at least 100,000 miles and possibly even the life of your car), the wear and tear of daily use, especially if you consistently drive a lot of miles, can start to cause problems.
Ask your mechanic to run a diagnostic to pinpoint the real cause of your starting problem—the starter, the alternator, or the battery. Once the culprit is determined, the appropriate repair can be made. However, many times the alternator and battery may be ruled out. This leaves the car starter as the cause of your problem:
So just what are the symptoms of a bad car starter?
- Cranking is slow and undependable—your car may start or it may not crank at all.
- You hear a grinding sound when the key is turned in the ignition.
- The lights are too dim and other electrical accessories don’t work properly.
- You smell hot oil or see smoke from oil that has leaked onto the starter.
A word of advice: If your car is having problems starting, don’t keep trying to force it to start. It could make the problem worse, plus drain the charge from your battery.
Have more questions about what are the symptoms of a bad car starter? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about starters, alternators, and car batteries, and to schedule an appointment. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.
