You will not be able to start your automobile without a functioning starter. It doesn’t matter how charged the battery is and how much voltage the alternator is generating. The starter is a tiny motor inside your vehicle’s engine that helps it fire up. Oxford Automotive is going to list the signs of a dying starter below. One sure sign that your starter is dead is being unable to ignite your car, truck, or utility vehicle.
Clicking Noises
Many people know that the sound of a dying starter is clicking. You will hear these clicking sounds when you try to ignite your automobile’s engine. Sometimes, the engine will start after a few rounds of clicking. Other times, the engine won’t start at all. Don’t rely on this sign of a dying starter solely because there are times when the starter will malfunction without making a single noise.
Hard/No Starts
As we’ve mentioned above, difficulty starting your automobile or being unable to start it at all can be traced back to a dying starter. It will become more and more difficult to get your engine running as the starter ages. The average lifespan of a starter is 100,000 miles to 150,000 miles. If you drive a high-mileage automobile and you cannot get it to start, it could be a dead starter.
The Lights Work
This is especially true if your vehicle’s lights are still working. Turn them on to see if they are working if you can’t get your engine started. If they are, the alternator and battery are generating electricity so that isn’t the problem. The problem lies with the starter. Even if you try to jump-start your automobile, you won’t be able to get it running if the starter is no longer working.
Puffs of Smoke
In fact, if you keep trying to start your automobile the only thing you will accomplish is overheating the starter motor. When this happens, you will see puffs of smoke coming out from underneath the hood and you will smell burning odors.
Oil on the Starter
As an aside, your starter may die not because of age but because of the fact that it is soaked by motor oil. The starter is located under the cylinder block. If a leaking engine gasket introduces oil into the cylinders, you may end up with motor oil dripping all over the starter. This can kill the starter motor.
Oxford Automotive in Oxford, PA, is here to help. We’d be happy to inspect your starter and replace it if necessary. Give us a call today.
