The alternator keeps the battery charged. If either of these parts fails, you won’t be able to start your automobile. Your engine also has a starter, and this is a tiny motor that fires up the engine. In other words, your engine may still not start even if the alternator and battery are fine if the starter has died. Fairfax Auto Repair is going to list five signs that your starter is going bad below. You may not end up with all of these symptoms, but your car, truck, or utility vehicle will experience at least one of them when it’s time to replace the starter.
1. Strange Noises at Startup
One of the most common indications that the starter is going bad is clicking sounds when you try to fire up your automobile. Unfortunately, not all starters make clicking noises before they go bad. If you are fortunate enough to receive the clicking warning, bring your vehicle to our shop right away.
2. An Engine That Won’t Start
If you cannot get your engine started, it’s possible that the starter has gone bad and is no longer working. As we mentioned above, your engine needs a working starter in order to fire up. A starter generally lasts about 10 years, so if you’re driving an older automobile that will not start, the starter could be the culprit.
3. A Dead Engine With Working Lights
You can check to see if your alternator and battery are working by checking your vehicle’s lights. A dead starter will prevent your motor from starting, but the lights will still work if they are being powered by the alternator and battery. This is one way to check to see what is causing the dead engine. If you have lights at normal brightness levels, your engine is dead because of the starter.
4. Burning Odors and Smoke
Don’t continue to try to start your automobile if the engine is not firing up. If the starter is dead, you will only overheat the motor; you won’t be able to get the engine started. Consequently, when this happens, you will smell hot odors coming from the engine and might even see smoke.
5. An Oil-Soaked Starter
Finally, if you have a leaking cylinder block, oil might soak the starter and kill it. With a leaking cylinder block, the starter is the least of your worries. Replacing the cylinder block can be a very expensive repair.
Call Fairfax Auto Repair in Fairfax, VA, right away if you suspect your starter motor is going bad. We can test the starter and replace it.