Car Starter Problems? Five Starting-System Inspection Tips
Car starter problems arise unexpectedly and for more than one reason. Whenever there's corroded terminals, loose connections, a bad, worn out or damaged system component, you'll notice. Starting your car becomes more difficult or it simply refuses to start.
Unfortunately, you won't see the source of the problem when all of a sudden the system fails. And repeatedly turning the ignition key, hoping that eventually the engine will fire up when it refuses to start, doesn't always help. Most often, it creates more problems.
Fortunately, common starter system problems happen in predictable places. And you have at your disposal more than one strategy to help you check the system in your car. Whether it is lack of power, a bad electrical connection, or a bad starter component, use these five troubleshooting tips to fire up your engine again.
Begin with one of the most common sources of engine starting problems.
Checking the Battery Voltage
You need to know whether you have enough juice to operate the starter motor by measuring the amount of voltage in your battery using a voltmeter.
- Set your voltmeter to a range higher than battery voltage, like 20 volts on the DC (direct current) voltage scale.
- Turn on the meter and connect the test leads across the battery terminals. Touch the negative lead to the negative (-) post on the battery and the positive lead to the positive (+) post on the battery.
- Turn on your car's headlights.
- Read the display on your meter. Your battery should have between 12.4V (75% charge) and 12.6V (100% charge) to properly operate the starter motor. If there's less than 12.4V, recharge the battery and try to start the engine again.
With a reading of 12.4V or less on a three to four years old battery, it's a good idea to hydrometer-check your battery. The hydrometer is a simple tool that lets you know the state of charge and health of your battery. So you'll know whether one or more cells have failed. Buy an inexpensive hydrometer online or at most auto parts stores. Then check this article on troubleshooting a car battery using a hydrometer.
Common Sources of Starter System Problems
- Loose electrical connections in the starting system
- Dirty connections
- Corroded battery terminals
- Worn out or failed starter system parts
Inspecting Cables and Wires
Corrosion around battery terminals prevents electrical flow. This is a common problem on a battery or starter system that hasn't received much attention. If you notice a layer of corrosion around one or both battery terminals, clean them with a solution of baking soda and warm water.
- Mix 8 ounces of warm water for 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a small container.
- Thoroughly mix the solution.
- Disconnect the terminals from the battery and apply the solution to the terminals and battery posts using a soft brush.
- Clean the battery top with the solution as well to remove dirt and acid, which drains battery power, but don't let the cleaning solution seep under the filler caps.
- Remove the caps from the top of the battery and check the electrolyte level. The electrolyte should reach the bottom of the filler rings. If necessary, add distilled water to bring the electrolyte to the correct level.
- Check the tray where the battery sits and clean it as well.
- Reconnect the terminals and try starting the engine again.
Inspecting the Starter Solenoid
Check the connections at the starter solenoid (the small cylinder on top of the starter) or starter relay. Most Ford vehicles use a remote starter relay instead of a solenoid. The positive (red) battery cable connects directly to the solenoid or starter relay. Can't find the relay? Consult the vehicle repair manual for your particular car make and model.
If the solenoid or relay fails, the car won't start:
- To quickly check the solenoid, disable the starting system by disconnecting the thick wire from the center of the distributor cap or by removing the fuel pump fuse — consult your vehicle repair manual to locate the fuse, if necessary. This will prevent the engine from accidentally starting as you check the solenoid or starter relay.
- If you disconnected the wire from the distributor, ground it to a bolt or unpainted metal bracket on the engine block using a jumper wire.
- Ask an assistant to try starting the engine as you listen for any sounds coming from the starter solenoid or relay. If you hear a solid and loud click, it means the electrical current is reaching the solenoid and it's properly working. If you hear a weak click or chattering sound, check the wires connected to the starter solenoid or relay.
- Check for dirty, loose, disconnected or broken wires that will prevent electrical current from reaching the motor. If the wires and connections are in good condition, the starter motor, solenoid or relay have failed, and you need to replace it.
Starter Motor Components
- Main Housing (yoke)
- Overrunning clutch
- Armature
- Field coils
- Brushes
- Solenoid
Checking the Starter Motor
Depending on your particular vehicle model you may need to raise the front of the car or remove the intake manifold or some other component to reach the starter motor. Consult the car repair manual for your particular model, if necessary.
If you need to raise your car, safely support it on jack stands, engage the parking brake and block the wheels to prevent the car from rolling.
- Make sure the starter mounting bolts are tight. Loose mounting bolts will keep the starter drive from properly engaging the flywheel. When this happens, you'll hear a grinding noise as you try to fire up the engine, since the ring gear on the flywheel and the pinion gear on the starter clash, unable to mesh properly.
- If the mounting bolts are tight, remove the starter motor from the vehicle and check the pinion gear — this is the small gear at the front of the starter that engages the flywheel to crank the engine. Check the condition of the pinion gear's teeth. Worn or damaged gear teeth will prevent you from cranking the engine as well.
- Using a standard screwdriver, try to rotate the pinion gear in both directions. The gear should only rotate in one direction. If it moves in both directions or doesn't move at all, replace the starter.
Make sure to watch the following video to get a visual reference of the trouble points you want to pay attention to.
Inspecting the Engine Flywheel
If you removed the starter motor for inspection, this is a good chance to check the flywheel as well. The flywheel is the large, heavy wheel between the engine and transmission. This is the wheel that the starter pinion gear engages to crank the engine.
- Once you've removed the starter motor, set your transmission to Neutral.
- Have an assistant rotate the crankshaft by turning the center bolt on the crankshaft pulley using a ratchet or breaker bar and a socket. You'll find this pulley at the front and bottom of the engine block. This pulley rotates the drive or serpentine belt to run the alternator, steering pump and other components. Depending on your vehicle model, you may need to remove a wheel to gain access to the pulley center bolt.
- Watch the flywheel as it rotates and make sure the teeth are in good condition. Missing or damaged teeth will prevent the starter motor from cranking the engine. Replace the flywheel, if necessary.
Testing the Starter Motor for Proper Operation
If you suspect the starter motor, take it to an auto parts store for testing. Many auto parts outlets will test your starter for free. An aged starter motor may have worn out brushes, armature, shaft, or burned field winding that may cause unusual noises, excessive current draw, slow cranking or no cranking at all.
A quick inspection at an auto parts store will reveal the drive mechanism and motor general condition, whether the starter draws enough current to operate, and the general state of the internal components.
If the previous checks did not turn out anything wrong with the starting system, you still have other simple troubleshooting strategies to further test the starter motor. Check the tips outlined in the article "Bad Starter Symptoms: Why Won't My Car Start?"
When you face car starter problems, remember that lack of proper battery maintenance, faulty electrical connections and components will prevent your starting system from working properly. Whatever the source of the problem, these troubleshooting tips will help you when your car won't start. They'll provide you with a relatively quick way to solve your starter problems.
Test Your Knowledge of Faulty Starter Motors
view quiz statisticsThis article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
Questions & Answers
My car is having trouble starting when I turn the key, and then after about an hour, it starts back up again. What’s going on?
You need to make sure you have good spark and fuel pressure. Another issue is poor compression, but this usually happens on high mileage engines. Match the symptoms to the descriptions on the headings. Also, follow the procedures described in the post. This could give you a clue about the problem.
Helpful 54What happens if the wires that connect to the starter from the engine touch?
Those wires come from the power side of the battery. You can produced a bad electric shortcut if those wires touch the engine block itself, for example.
Helpful 41What if the car on starting cuts fire or backfires?
This other post might help you:
Helpful 2My Hyundai Atos doesn't want to start. It makes a sound but when I turn my headlights they are working. What could be the problem?
Make sure the fuel pump is working. Can you here the pump priming the lines when you turn the ignition key On? Also, make sure you got a good spark and fuel pressure. These two systems are usually the primary suspects.
My vehicle is having trouble. I checked stater motor, fuel pressure and battery. Everything is OK. What’s going on?
If the starter motor doesn’t run, check the circuit connections, including the ignition system. Also, make sure you have good spark. This post may help you check the circuit:
Helpful 1
Comments
Hy i have a hyundai atos prime and its giving me a problem it doesnt wanna start and the battery is fine the lights are on,the radio is also working.what could be the problem??
My key will go to ACC on ignition but will not turn over its a 99 Toyota corolla VE no noises at at just won't turn over what's the problem?
My Toyota dyna 15b engine, When I start my truck it cranks very well, there I go and cover some long distance, but then if I happen to stop and switch off the engine and restart the engine, it won't start it'll just be dragging up until I wait for it to cool down, then it will crank strongly, what can be the problem please help?
Έχω toyota yaris 2004 με δυσκολία παίρνει μπρος τι φταίει???
I replaced my fuel pump battery and crankshaft sensor and my car still won't start why is that?
My car Toyota vios NCP93 cannot start. At starter motor got sound 1second only..
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I have polo classic 1.6 2009 model i park my night ,in morning whn i starter the car doesn't wnt to starter,i take out one spark plug i found tht no spark
Mercury Grand Marquis 2000 battery 5 yr. life dead in 4 yrs. replacement dead in 2 mos. Vehicle not in frequent use. Alternator checked out OK. What could be draining the battery?
My ford figo doesnt start it give ABS malfunction and if i may ask is it possible that because of that it wont start since it a automatic transmission. And wat i need to do. Im stuck i cant move
My wife's car does not start but just makes zzzz sound but when you push start it works. I checked the battery it is fine and also I charged it fully but the problem is still there. What do I do with the figo 2010.
First time on here but looks really helpful.
Did a diagnostic test and it said crankshaft sensor and I replaced it and did another diagnostic test and it said car was safe to drive but it still doesn't start what could be the reason
MY STARTER WIRE GETS HOT WHEN I START THE CAR AND JUST CLICK
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Gud day, i resolved the problem, the carbon brush contact to the armature is weak, i clean the contact and try to start, the starter is back to good condition,. Thank sir for suggestion,.
Good eve.
My truck is 4hg1 engine the starter motor 'armature' malfunctioning running, and the soleniod when i turn to start the ignition key is okay, any suggestion thankz.
When i turn start the ignition, the armature of starter can't run and the solenoid is okay,. Any suggestion please.
What would cause a starter to sometimes work? When I turn my key to on position, all indicator lights come on and I can hear fuel pump working. When I continue and turn to start position everything goes off until I release from start position. Eventually it will start, sometimes after many attempts, sometimes after one or two, and sometimes it starts right up the first time. Usually after sitting overnight or long periods of time, it starts right up, and when I try starting it within 30 minutes after driving it and shutting it off it seems to work fine, usually but not always.
I have a 2001 Oldsmobile Aurora that battery died on, once battery was charged car won't start. It turns over and makes a shrill noise.if I shoot gas directly into manifold it runs.I have replaced fuel filter and injectors, starter crank sensor and cam sensor HELP! any ideas? It reads no codes when tested.
Engine light on car trying to start but wont... suggestions?
I have a 2002 Chevy Blazer it will turn over but not fire on the first try but on the second try it will fire right up an run like a dream what could it be????? Just did the starter
Hi I had a problem last year, my ford escape was stuck in reverse, turned out I needed a new gear cable, replaced that , now every other start makes a loud wrenching noise. Took it to a different garage, mechanic says take it back to people who replaced gear cable because it's misaligned, so I did that and they found that the starter motor is worn out because of the starting problems but said it's not because of it being in between gears(misaligned gears) confused please help
My car sounds like something running won't start now I'm told it's the self starter how do I fix it's a city golf need assistance I have disconnected the battery
Hi Marco
my Renault megane is burning up starters
the car will start once with the new starter then i will go for a drive and then when is top and switch it op the car wont start up again what could this be???
my starter drags while starting. what wholuld be the problem ? I checked the battery and it is fine. the battery measurs 12.4 v. what is the next step I can do ?
I am having issues with the starter bend-ex. It will not engage the flex plate. Have replaced starter, flexplate and battery. It will start up once, then when I go to start it again, it just clicks. Do you have any ideas of what I can try next? Have shimmed starter.
1993 GMC Suburban. It will not start. no sound at all. good battery and starter. i thought it was the n switch.
My Chrysler starts with starting fluid but won't start what should I do
I have issue with starter motor clicking noise I remove the starter I notice the pinion gear while rotate it going out is it normal !!
THANKS A LOT FOR SHARING KNOWLEDGE FOR LAY MAN.
thanks for your advice, very helpful indeed. I replaced our starter motor with a new one and the car ran for a day, now its doing the same thing clicks over but just won't start. any ideas???
Hi where should the pinion gear on the top of the starter be positioned? It seems like its not out far enough.
For several weeks, my car just wouldn't start on the first try and you'd hear a click. 3 or 4 attempts later the car would finally start. Eventually, every component of the starting system was replaced, including the up sized ground cable, starter motor, alternator, and still the same problem. Finally, a mechanic who was highly rated with electrical systems found the answer. The lug terminal attached to the hot lug on the starter was oversized for the lug plus the crimp on the terminal was not a good crimp, the mechanic showed me the ratcheting crimper he used for the new connection. After 25+ starts I know that the problem has been fixed. FINALLY. This was on a 94 Olds Cutlass Ciera. Happy Motoring all.
Key would not turn. Solution?
could the transmission not lining up properly cause the starter not to engage?
You are awesome!!! Very well explained... helped me a ton... if you are not currently teaching you might want to consider it haha
Thanks a lot for in detailed explanations and it is was a great support to understand the issue.
Thank you for posting this great information. I appreciate it.
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