What do you hear when you turn your key in the ignition? Does your engine start-up smoothly and quietly? Or do you just hear clicking sounds, or maybe a grinding noise? At last, the engine turns over and you’re on your way. If this has happened to you, you will want to know more about what happens when a starter goes out. Ask your mechanic to check the condition of the starter and let you know if you are looking at a pending auto electrical repair.
The starter system is designed for repeated use under a variety of weather and road conditions. But the wear and tear of daily use, extreme conditions and lack of maintenance can all create problems. There are several symptoms that can indicate a bad or failing starter—many of which can also be caused by the alternator or the battery, two key components of the auto electrical system.
What happens when a starter goes out? Here are six signs to look for:
- Slow and intermittent starting. If the problem is intermittent, it could be loose or dirty wiring or a damaged electrical component that is failing.
- Your vehicle won’t start. When you turn the key (or push the start button), you may hear no sound at all or you may hear a clicking or clanking noise.
- The interior lights dim. This could be a sign of a short circuit in the starter motor’s internal wiring. If you notice a chugging sound along with the dimming lights, the bearings in the motor may be failing.
- You hear grinding noise when the car is starting or running. This is an indication of a mechanical problem---the gears in the starter motor may be worn or not engaging correctly; they may not be disengaging after the engine starts, or the starter motor may be loose on its mountings.
- A burning smell or smoke. The starter system is both electrical and mechanical, Thus, a malfunction often combines electrical problems with overheated metal components, lubricated with grease, giving off a burning smell
- The starter is soaked with oil. The starter system sits near the bottom of the engine and gets very hot. If motor oil leaks into the starter motor, it may cause permanent damage.
Need to know more about what happens when a starter goes out? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about auto electrical repair and to schedule an appointment and to find out more about signs of car starter going bad. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.
What do you hear when you turn your key in the ignition? Does your engine start-up smoothly and quietly? Or do you just hear clicking sounds, or maybe a grinding noise? At last, the engine turns over and you’re on your way. If this has happened to you, you will want to know more about what happens when a starter goes out. Ask your mechanic to check the condition of the starter and let you know if you are looking at a pending auto electrical repair.
The starter system is designed for repeated use under a variety of weather and road conditions. But the wear and tear of daily use, extreme conditions and lack of maintenance can all create problems. There are several symptoms that can indicate a bad or failing starter—many of which can also be caused by the alternator or the battery, two key components of the auto electrical system.
What happens when a starter goes out? Here are six signs to look for:
- Slow and intermittent starting. If the problem is intermittent, it could be loose or dirty wiring or a damaged electrical component that is failing.
- Your vehicle won’t start. When you turn the key (or push the start button), you may hear no sound at all or you may hear a clicking or clanking noise.
- The interior lights dim. This could be a sign of a short circuit in the starter motor’s internal wiring. If you notice a chugging sound along with the dimming lights, the bearings in the motor may be failing.
- You hear grinding noise when the car is starting or running. This is an indication of a mechanical problem---the gears in the starter motor may be worn or not engaging correctly; they may not be disengaging after the engine starts, or the starter motor may be loose on its mountings.
- A burning smell or smoke. The starter system is both electrical and mechanical, Thus, a malfunction often combines electrical problems with overheated metal components, lubricated with grease, giving off a burning smell
- The starter is soaked with oil. The starter system sits near the bottom of the engine and gets very hot. If motor oil leaks into the starter motor, it may cause permanent damage.
Need to know more about what happens when a starter goes out? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about auto electrical repair and to schedule an appointment and to find out more about signs of car starter going bad. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.
