Starter button on a car

Imagine you have to go somewhere, you rely on your motorcar to accept you to your destination seamlessly and comfortably as usual. Y'all are already envisaging the shine ride, your favourite radio show in the background, the heater on, maybe a loving cup of coffee on your side (careful with that!). So, you open the door and you sit in your driver seat. Like a thousand times earlier you plough the keys (or hit the 'start' button, if your car is a adequately new model). Nada happens. How come??? All your lights are on and there are no signs of depression power supply – it tin can't be the battery. Then a sudden realisation. Yous are dealing with a failing or bad starter motor. Have you lot ignored any signs? Did you know what signs to look for??

If you think this could be you, then we promise this article will shed some light on a trouble that is more mutual than you may think. Bad starter problems are relatively frequent and, as a garage, nosotros bargain with those on a daily basis. Every bit nosotros will go into some technical details, we provided links to simple explanations for some of the less common terms we volition be using. We are not all petrol-heads after all!

And so, a starter is equanimous of two master parts: the primary motor that turns your crankshaft and starts your engine, and the solenoid that simultaneously engages the starter'south bulldoze gear and closes the main motor's electrical contacts. Starting system troubles may exist caused by poor maintenance, or just by wear and tear. Even with decent maintenance, the different arrangement components become a lot of vesture during their service life and they are jump to have issues eventually.  With more and more vehicles being fitted with terminate/get-go technology the strain on starter motors and batteries has been profoundly increased.

Starter motors and solenoids don't typically fail outright. If y'all notice the following warning signs, brand certain y'all contact your trusted local garage to book a complete inspection of your vehicle equally these symptoms might signal problems with more than one component.

Grinding dissonance

When the starter bulldoze gear is worn out or not engaging properly, it volition oftentimes produce a grinding noise. This is similar to the one that is heard if you start your engine and then accidentally activity the ignition switch again. If the grinding symptom is ignored, information technology may also outcome in damage to the engine flywheel.

Freewheeling

Dashboard of a car, with keys hanging from the ignition

Freewheeling occurs when you crank the engine and simply hear a whining noise without the engine cranking.

When this occurs, it means the starter is not engaging with the flywheel. This is a worrying state of affairs which could effect in having to replace the whole component. If this happens, service your vehicle as soon as possible.

Intermittent bug starting the vehicle

If you try to starting time your auto and the engine doesn't ignite instantly, but you lot action the switch once once again and it works, this is nigh probable due to a trouble with the relay. The starter relay is an all or nothing device, meaning that it either sends the full electrical electric current or information technology sends zippo to the starter. In some occasions, a damaged relay can crusade the starter to make a clicking sound when you plough the key.

Starter stays on after engine started

When you lot offset the engine and release the primal (or end pressing the starter button on a new auto), the circuit which will discontinue the power to the starter motor is supposed to shut. If this stays on afterward the engine has ignited, the main contacts in the solenoid have most likely welded together in the closed position. If this problem is not addressed immediately, the relay will be stuck in the 'on' position. This will ultimately cause serious damage to the whole starter organisation and the transmission flywheel.

Smoke

Bottom of a car, showing the front wheels and smoke

If ability is supplied continuously to the starter gear, it volition eventually overheat. Smoke usually indicates that too much power is being fatigued through the electric supply. This is either because the starter has been operated also long without a rest or there is a connection problem. Fume coming from underneath the engine, accompanied past a burning olfactory property, can exist a symptom of serious problems.

Batteries

It may announced that you have power to your starting organization, eg, you have lights on your dashboard and your headlights are working, but the engine will not turn over.  This tin be misleading equally a lot of battery power is required to crank your engine over.  If your automobile does not crank, trying to first it with leap leads or a starter pack will indicate if a weak battery is the cause of your problems.  nine out ot 10 cars with starting problems during winter months are battery related.

At Exminster Garage we offer expert solutions for a variety of mechanical issues. We also provide a wide range of car services to help maintain the smoothen running of your vehicle. Don't forget, at Exminster Garage we provide a free vehicle collect/render service within a 10 mile radius of Exeter.  Volume your next service here.