When your car struggles to start up, your first thought is probably “What could this be?” followed by “How much is this going to cost?” Pinpointing exactly what is causing a no-start condition is tricky. Turning your key to the “on” position initiates a complex process behind the scenes, with various components working to instantly deliver the fuel, air, and power your vehicle needs to start and sustain combustion.
While each component has the potential to fail, there are a few that are more likely to cause trouble than the others. One of these is the starter, which, as the name implies, is vital to the initial process of starting the car. In this article, we’ll cover what the starter does, the symptoms of starter failure, and what causes one to fail.
What Does The Starter Do?
For the engine to start running on its own, it first needs to pull in air to mix with fuel for combustion. If air isn’t flowing into the engine, the fuel can’t burn, and the engine won’t start.
The starter handles this job. It’s a small electric motor that spins the flywheel, which turns the engine over so air and fuel can enter the cylinders. Once the engine catches and starts running, the starter switches off and lets the engine operate on its own.
Symptoms of a Bad Starter
While the obvious symptom of a bad starter is, the car not starting, there are some more specific signs of impending starter failure that you should be aware of.
Unusual Sounds
One of the most common symptoms of a failing starter motor is a clicking noise while attempting to start the vehicle. However, it’s important to note that even if there is no noticeable sound when turning the key, it could still be an issue with the starter.
Alternatively, a starter on the verge of failure may produce a worrying grinding noise when starting the vehicle. This likely means your starter is on its way out and should be inspected by a trusted automotive professional to see if replacement is necessary.
Engine Won’t Crank
Of course, without a working starter motor to crank the engine, the vehicle will be unable to fire up even with the assistance of a jumpstart. If a jumpstart does not solve your issue, the issue likely goes beyond a simple dead battery.
Lights Turn On, But The Car Won’t
If you turn the key and all the lights on your dashboard come on as they normally do, but the engine doesn’t start, it’s probably a problem with your starter or ignition switch—not the battery. If the battery were dead, the lights on the dashboard would be very dim or wouldn’t turn on at all.
Smoke From The Vehicle
As you attempt to start the vehicle with a faulty starter, it could potentially overheat and cause or worsen electrical failures around it. In serious cases, it could cause a shorted fuse or wire to smoke.
If you see or smell smoke from your vehicle, avoid turning the key again and have your vehicle towed to a professional for inspection and service. Desperately turning the key over and over is only more likely to lead to these electrical issues.
Your Starter is Oil Soaked
Many starter problems come from internal failures, but external issues like oil leaks can also cause damage. If you notice your starter is covered in oil, it probably means there’s an active oil leak dripping onto or around the starter. Over time, this oil can seep into the starter’s internal components, causing them to fail and resulting in a faulty starter motor. Even a small, slow leak can eventually lead to serious problems if it isn’t addressed.
Starter & Electrical Services in Portland
If you’re experiencing trouble starting your vehicle or any other signs of a failing starter, trust the ASE-Certified technicians at Jolene’s Auto Repair in Portland, Oregon, to resolve your issue and get your vehicle starting like new. Our experienced technicians have years of experience working on electrical systems in all makes and models. Give Portland’s trusted option for auto repair a try and give us a call or schedule online today!