What happens if my starter goes bad

Blog Categories Blog Home. What is a starter? What are common bad starter symptoms? Something sounds off. Your engine won't crank. Smoke is coming from your car.

Oil has soaked the starter. What causes starter problems? A variety of problems can lead to a bad starter, including: Loose wiring to and from the starter Dirty or corroded connections at the starter Battery corrosion Damaged or worn-out parts in the starter system Oil leaks Bad relay or fuse How do you troubleshoot starter problems? Look under the hood. Tap the starter. Adjust the transmission. Check the fuel gauge. If you recognize any of these symptoms in your vehicle, consult your mechanic for the necessary repairs.

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Find My Part. We are not all petrol-heads after all! Starting system troubles may be caused by poor maintenance, or just by wear and tear.

Even with decent maintenance, the different system components get a lot of wear during their service life and they are bound to have problems eventually. If you notice the following warning signs, make sure you contact your trusted local garage to book a complete inspection of your vehicle as these symptoms might indicate problems with more than one component.

When the starter drive gear is worn out or not engaging properly, it will often produce a grinding noise. This is similar to the one that is heard if you start your engine and then accidentally action the ignition switch again. If the grinding symptom is ignored, it may also result in damage to the engine flywheel. Freewheeling occurs when you crank the engine and simply hear a whining noise without the engine cranking.

When this occurs, it means the starter is not engaging with the flywheel. This is a worrying situation which could result in having to replace the whole component.

If this happens, service your vehicle as soon as possible. You can hear grinding noise when the car is starting or running. A burning smell or smoke is coming from underneath the hood. The starter is soaked with oil. Ron Stanko. Prev Next. Recent Posts. Most Popular. How long does it take to replace an Alternator? Brake Repair and Safety go Hand-in-Hand! Live Chat. Sorry, but we are currently offline.