What good are 300+ horsepower and ample amounts of torque for an engine that refuses to start? When you stop to think about it, motors are simple mechanical devices. Sure, there are plenty of moving parts at work, each of which rely on one another to keep your car running, but there is one important process that must finish before any of this can commence.
Faulty ignition systems have left many drivers stranded on the side of the road, wondering in dismay what has happened to their sporty coupe. When your engine refuses to crank, there are typically three components to check first. The battery could be bad, more than likely not being able to hold a charge. The alternator may have also met its end, or lastly, the starter needs to be serviced or replaced.
Starters consist of two critical parts, a motor, and a solenoid. The former is what rotates the crankshaft, in turn causing the engine to fire, while the latter activates the starter’s drive gear and shuts off the engine’s electrical contacts. Once installed, a starter will usually last a very long time, but of course, issues can happen that call for early replacement.
How do I know if my starter is bad?
One of the quickest ways to tell whether your car’s starter is on its last leg is by observing the interior lights. The instrument panel, dash, and roof lights will probably be very dim, given the fact that the faulty starter is starving them of energy. Also, when cranking the engine, listen carefully for the sound of chugging. If the noise is persistent and occurring in combination with those dimming lights, you know where the problem lies.
Another telltale symptom of starter failure is the infamous clicking of the solenoid. Since the starter’s motor refuses to engage, the solenoid’s sound is no longer drowned out. The engaging of the gear drive and closed electrical contacts put off a loud clicking sound when the key is turned, and the engine will fail to turn over as normal.
