Car starter problems and issues
Modern automobile starting systems are very complex and utilize many different parts to crank the engine. These different parts include the ignition, the battery, the fuse and relay, and the starter motor.
Suppose the starter motor experiences any of the following problems below. In that case, there's a good chance that it will need to be replaced soon.
Yes, starter motors are likely to go out after many years, or miles, of use. Even with proper maintenance, the different starting system components get a lot of wear during their service life. They are bound to start having problems eventually. Here are some car starter problems and issues.
1. Car won't start, and nothing happens
The first car starter problems is your car won't start, and nothing happens. It is the most common problem in the vehicle starting system. The cause of this problem is quite a lot. You need to parse one by one to determine what is the main cause.
The most frequent thing about this problem is that all indicator lights on the dashboard panel are dead. When the ignition is turned into the START position, there are no signs of movement from the motor starter.
Here's the most causes from car won't start and nothing happens.
A. Dead battery
The car battery is the most important component to provide electrical current for the whole electric component on your car while the engine is not running. If the battery dies, it makes your car won't start, and nothing happens.
B. Corroded battery terminal
Battery terminals ensure that the electric current from the car battery used to rotate the motor starter can flow smoothly. Suppose the condition of this terminal is rusty, corrosion, and not connected to the battery. In that case, the car won't start, and nothing will happen.
C. Broken starter relay and fuse
A broken starter relay and fuse can make an electric current flow out and disrupt. As a result, there is no electrical energy that will rotate the motor starter.
D. Faulty starter motor
A faulty starter motor can make a fuse and starter relay break up. Short circuit and broken armature coil and field coil are the causes of starter motor failure.
E. The gear shift lever is in the wrong position (for automatic vehicles)
In an automatic vehicle, gear shift position can cause your car won't start, and nothing happens. Put the lever into P (Park) or N (Neutral) to ensure you have a correct procedure.
F. Wrong engine starting procedure.
Modern cars are built with some features to ensure a safe environment. For example, you need to press the brake pedal or clutch pedal before starting your car engine. Make sure your car engine starting procedure is correct.
2. Car won't start and clicking noise
The second car starter problems and issue are your car won't start and clicking noise. This problem is mainly because your car battery is going to die. It lacks electric current so that the starter motor won't crank the car engine.
Here are other causes for these problems :
- Broken solenoid starter (magnetic switch)
- Worn out carbon brush inside the starter motor
- Burnt field coils and armature coils
You can read the following article for more detailed information about this problem and issue: Here's why your car won't start and just clicking noise.
3. Starting but with a grinding noise
The third car starter problems and issue is the car engine is starting but with a grinding noise. This noise occurs due to the pinion gear (on the motor starter) and ring gear (at the flywheel) not being perfectly connected.
This condition often occurs due to damage to each gear in the motor starter and flywheel. When the ignition is turned into the starter position and the starter begins to rotate, we will hear a grinding noise very loud on the engine.
Read also:4. Starter motor becomes freewheeling
If you turn the ignition switch to the start position and hear a whining sound, thus the engine is not cranking. It can be that the starter gear is not engaging the flywheel. The problem mostly occurs by broken one-way bearing inside the pinion gear of the starter motor.
If this is occurring, then your starter may have to be replaced. It is suggested that you get the starter serviced immediately.
5. Starter motor hard to start in hot engine's temperature
The last car starter problems and issues are hard to start on hot engine's temperature. When the engine temperature is in cold condition, starting the engine is very easy. But when the engine temperature is in hot condition, the engine starter becomes very difficult.
Yes, these conditions can occur because the coil resistance (hold in coil and pull in coil) is getting bigger. When the engine's heat reaches the solenoid body, the value of the resistance in the coil will increase.
As a result, the electric current will be held back and cannot flow through the coil. When the electric current is held in the coil, the motor starter becomes difficult to turn on.