How Do You Know If You Have a Bad Starter?

Just what is a starter, you ask?  The starter is a small motor, powered by the battery that starts your engine.  A starter relay sits between the battery and the starter motor, transmitting power. Without a correctly working starter relay and motor, you can’t even move your car an inch!

So how do you know if you have a bad starter?  

1. Something doesn’t sound “normal.”  One of the symptoms of a bad starter is a clicking noise when you turn the key or push the start button. Though, a starter can die without making any sound at all.
2. Lights only.  When trying to start the engine and only the dashboard lights come on, you possibly have an issue with the starter.
3. The engine doesn’t crank.  If your engine won’t start, even after a jumpstart, it’s time to call roadside assistance.  Remember this important note.  If a jump start won’t fire up your engine, nothing other than a certified technician can!
4. Smoke coming from your car.  As part of your vehicle’s electrical system, the starter is subject to blown fuses and short circuits. When you’ve been trying to start your car some times, the starter can overheat making electrical problems—and the accompanying smoke—more likely.  Call for help!
5. Oil has soaked the starter.  Pop the hood and look at your starter.  If it’s drenched in oil, you have an oil leak.  This can be a costly problem so keep an eye out for oil leaks to avoid starter problems.

So what causes starter issues?  There are some reasons, including:

• Loose wiring to and from the starter
• Dirty connections
• Battery corrosion
• worn-out parts in the starter system
• Oil leaks

Doesn’t delay to get strand somewhere before having your starting system checked out—even if your issues are off and on?

Need to know more about how do you know if you have a bad starter?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about starters, alternators and to make an appointment.  Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.  

Are you Asking, “What Happens When a Starter Goes Out?”

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?  At last, the engine turns over and you’re on your way.  If this has happened to you, you will need to know more about what happens when a starter goes out.  Ask your mechanic to inspect 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 everyday use, extreme conditions and lack of maintenance can all create issues.  There are some symptoms that can indicate a bad or failing starter—many of which can also be caused by the alternator or the battery, key components of the auto electrical system. 

What happens when a starter goes out?  Here are six signs to look for:

1. Slow and intermittent starting.  If the issue is intermittent, it could be loose or dirty wiring or a damaged electrical component that is failing.
2. Your vehicle won’t start.  When you turn the key, you may hear no sound at all or you may hear a clicking or clanking noise.
3. 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 darkening lights, the bearings in the motor may be failing.
4. You hear grinding noise when the car is starting or running.  This is an indication of a mechanical issue---the gears in the starter motor may be worn or not engaging properly; they may not be disengaging after the engine starts.
5. A burning smell. The starter system is both electrical and mechanical.  Thus, a malfunction often combines electrical issues with overheated metal components, lubricated with grease, giving off a burning smell.
6. The starter is soaked with oil. The starter system sits near the bottom of the engine and gets very burning.  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?  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about auto electrical repair and to make an appointment and to find out more about signs of car starter going bad.  Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served car owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.  

How do I know if my car battery is dying?

Are you noticing issues when you start up your car in the mornings?  How about when driving at night and your headlights are too blurry? You may be wondering, “How do I know if my car battery is dying?”  When a battery fails it’s a serious issue that wants instant attention, and commonly not at a convenient time or place.  Ask your mechanic to inspect your battery to see if it’s time for a car battery replacement.

If you’ve had to pay for a premature car battery replacement and want to keep it as long as possible, here are six simple tips to help extend its lifespan. 

1. Combine trips – Consider joining a carpool. 
2. Keep the battery tightly fastened – A loose battery can jiggle connections and cause intermittent electrical connections. 
3. Turn off the lights – When you arrive at your destination, be sure to turn off all lights and unplug electrical devices that use power, such as a cell phone.
4. Keep the battery terminals clean.  Corrosion inhibits the electrical current that flows from the battery to the engine and other electrical accessories. 
5. Check-up – Have the charge in your battery tested on a regular basis and top-off the cells with water if necessary.
6. Limit electronic use when idle – This causes a heavy pull of electrical current from the battery and the alternator may not be able to keep up recharging the battery.

Are you asking, “How do I know if my car battery is dying?”  Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about a car battery replacement and to make an appointment.  Since 1997, our auto repair shop has served car owners in Princeton, MN and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.