Possible causes include a bad starter motor or a dying battery. The last thing you want is to be left stranded.
You are, in a sense, "dead in the water" when the starter in your car fails. When the starter breaks, you are unable to move. It can appear to have taken place abruptly and without prior notice. Guess what, though? There are seven signs that your starter may be failing or in poor condition. Being stranded may be prevented if you are aware of these indications.
A starter motor is what?
These two components make up the starting motor's two primary sections:
1. The main engine starter's motor, which rotates the crankshaft
2. The solenoid (relay) that engages the starter motors driving gear and shuts the electrical contacts on the main motor at the same time.
A car's battery provides power to the starter motor. The starter's job is to turn on the engine and start the vehicle. Power is transmitted through the starter relay, which is situated in between the battery and the beginning motor. Without a jumpstart or a tow, you cannot move the vehicle if the starter relay or the motor stop functioning.
Make an appointment for a trained mechanic to diagnose and resolve the issue if your car won't start by searching online for car garages in Reading. Two potential causes are a faulty starter motor or a drained battery. Being abandoned is the absolute last thing you want.
What Affects a Starter Motor's Performance
Either inadequate maintenance or regular wear and tear can be the root of a starting system issue. A starter experiences significant wear over the course of its useful life, therefore problems are inevitable. Starter motors and batteries are under more stress as a result of the new Stop/Start technology in cars.
Usually, there are warning indications before a starter motor or relay fails. That is possible, though. Still, watch out for these seven indications that your starter is failing:
1. Engine Will Not Turn - When you turn the key or press the Start button, nothing happens, which is the most prevalent sign that your starter is malfunctioning. The starter relay, motor, or electrical issue are the most likely causes, along with a burnt-out starter. Remember though, a dead battery can also be the source of the issue. If you have this symptom, get in touch with a qualified mechanic by looking online for garages in Reading right away so they can check the starter, the ignition system, and other electrical parts because it can indicate a serious problem.
2. Noise - Clicking, Grinding, or Whirring - If you start to hear a noise when turning the key or pressing Start that you haven't heard previously, you should pay attention. Any grinding, whirring, or clicking sounds can foretell the starter's demise. Similar tothe grinding sound you hear if you unintentionally engage the ignition switch again after starting the engine, worn-out or improper starter components frequently make this noise. The engine flywheel may get damaged if you ignore the grinding symptom.
3. Vehicle Starting Problems That Come and Go - If you try to start your car and the engine doesn't ignite right away, then you try again and it starts right up, you probably have a starter relay issue. Either the whole electrical current or nothing at all is sent to the starting by the starter relay. The function is all or nothing. When you switch the ignition on, the starter may occasionally make a clicking noise due to a faulty relay. In order to avoid having this problem during a MOT test, which would result in a failure, check MOT status and take it to a qualified mechanic if you have both of these intermittent starting and a clicking sound.
4. Starter Motor Stays On After Starting - The starting circuit ought to shut off following the engine's initial start and the release of the key or the Start button. After starting the engine, if you continue to hear a grinding sound coming from underneath the car, the starter relay may have become jammed. The relay will then continue to operate as if you were still attempting to start the vehicle. Once it has welded together, the starter relay becomes stuck. This issue requires immediate attention. If the problem continues, the relay will become locked in the "on" position, which will seriously harm the starting system as a whole as well as the gearbox flywheel.
5. Smoke - The mechanical starter is electrically operated. If you keep attempting to start your car despite the fact that it won't, you risk overheating the system. Smoke may be seen or smelled coming from under the engine when the starter overheats as a result of sustained power supply. The ignition switch issue, a blown fuse, or a short circuit are all potential culprits. Regardless, as soon as you notice this issue, you should call a licenced mechanic. To find out if this has ever been a cause for a MOT test to fail, check MOT history of your vehicle.
6. Starter Engages but Motor Won’t Start-When you hit the Start button or turn the ignition on, you may hear the starting kick in, but the motor won't turn over. Occasionally, a mechanical problem with the starter arises. In this instance, a gear attached to the flywheel has been stripped or jostled up against the flywheel. The engine will not start in either scenario. If this occurs, a qualified mechanic will need to replace the starter.
7. Battery - Even though you may think the starting system has power because your headlights and dashboard lights are on, the engine may not be turning over. Since cranking your engine requires a lot of electricity, this may actually be a problem with your battery. Try starting it with a starter pack or jumper. If it does, this suggests that the issue is with the battery. Starting issues frequently have a battery component, particularly in the cold.