University Auto Repair advises that a malfunctioning starter may leave you stranded if you cannot get your engine started. This is just one sign that the starter is going bad that we will talk more about below. If your automobile has clocked 100,000 miles on the odometer, the starter has reached the end of its life. It may last longer, but it will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Below, you will find the symptoms of a starter that is on its way out.
Noises Before Ignition
A common problem is that the starter will make strange noises before your vehicle ignites. You will hear these noises when you turn the ignition key or press the start button. You might whirring that continues after the engine fires up or clicking. The starter makes these noises if it is going bad and is struggling to turn the engine over. If the noises continue, the starter did not disengage as it should have.
No Start/Dead Engine
As we mentioned above, a malfunctioning starter can also leave you stranded with a dead engine. When this happens, the engine is not being turned over so it can receive the air and fuel it needs for combustion. Aside from turning the engine over, the starter is also responsible for sending electricity through the spark plug wires to the plugs so they can generate sparks for combustion.
Working Vehicle Lights
Your first thought may be that the battery is dead because you cannot start your engine. You can test this theory by testing your vehicle’s lights. Check the interior lights to see if they are glowing at normal brightness. Test the headlights and taillights, too. Working lights mean the battery is fine. Your engine is dead because the starter motor is no longer working as it should be.
Smoke and Hot Odors
Finally, you might also smell smoke and heat coming from your engine. This also points to the starter as the problem. When you keep trying to start your automobile with a dead engine, you overheat the motor inside the starter. Consequently, the smoke will waft from underneath the hood as will the burning odors. Stop trying to start your vehicle. It is not going to fire up.
Call University Auto Repair in Flagstaff, AZ, today if you believe your starter is on its way out. We can test this ignition part and replace it if it fails the test.
