The starter motor turns the flywheel or flexplate using its pinion gear when you press the start button or turn the ignition key. This allows the engine to turn over so it can draw in air and fuel for the spark plugs to ignite. Your engine cannot start without a functioning starter. Advanced Automotive is going to list the signs of a malfunctioning starter below so you know what to look for when it comes to your automobile. Bring your vehicle to our shop at the first sign of trouble.
Noises Before the Car Starts
If the starter motor is malfunctioning, you may hear strange noises before your automobile starts or in place of the automobile starting. Generally, the sound that you will hear is clicking. You may also hear whirring. The only thing you should hear when you start your automobile is the engine cranking and then firing up. Any other noise is cause for concern and needs immediate attention.
An Inability to Start the Car
If the starter motor is unable to turn the flywheel or flexplate, your automobile will not start. This is because the engine is not drawing in the air and fuel that the spark plugs need to ignite. Without ignition, combustion cannot begin in the engine. Without combustion, your engine cannot run. Consequently, a dead starter will prevent your car, truck, or utility vehicle from firing up.
Working Vehicle Lights
If you are stuck with a dead engine, there is a way you can check to see if the problem is a starter problem or a battery problem. Simply take a look at your vehicle’s lights to see if they are working. If they are, chances are your engine is not starting because the starter motor is dead. Working lights prove that the battery is providing electricity to the lights so they can shine.
Hot Odors and/or Puffs of Smoke
If you keep trying to fire up your car, truck, or C/SUV to no avail, you will overheat the starter. Signs that you have done this include hot odors coming from the engine and puffs of smoke coming from underneath the hood.
Oil Leaking Onto the Starter
Finally, most starters last 100,000 miles or more. If you drive an older automobile with high mileage on the odometer, it would be no surprise that the starter would die. In some cases, however, a starter can die prematurely because your engine has sprung an oil leak that is saturating the starter in oil.
Call Advanced Automotive in Stanwood, WA, today to schedule an appointment for your automobile if you suspect that the starter is going bad.
