How to check a starter in a car?

The car starter, although small and inconspicuous, is a powerful device that is responsible for starting the engine. Due to the fact that during normal operation the car is repeatedly exposed to heavy loads, it may fail over time. In the next article, you will learn how to check the starter and monitor its wear to avoid any unpleasant surprises.

What will you learn from this post?

• What Does a Car Jump Starter Do?
• What are some of the most common starter malfunctions you might encounter?
• What is the diagnosis for a car starter?

Shortly speaking

If you've never thought about the importance of a starter, it's time to catch up. Without it, it becomes impossible to start the engine, so it is worth learning a few facts about it. In this article, you will learn, among other things, what are the frequent starter failures and how they are diagnosed.

What is the function of a car starter?

A car starter is actually a small electric motor that starts when you turn the key in the ignition. Turn the crankshaft of the combustion engine several times to start the vehicle.. The current is taken from the battery (from 200 to 600 A), so it must be serviceable and properly charged. Therefore, a starter in a car is a necessary element, since internal combustion engines cannot start on their own. Out of curiosity, it is worth adding that the beginnings of the automotive industry in this regard were not favorable to drivers - instead of a starter, they had to use ... manual cranks with which the crankshaft is mechanically driven... It was a challenging and enjoyable process.

Starter malfunctions in the car - what to look for?

The most common car starter failures fall into two categories: mechanical and electrical. Unfortunately, correctly diagnosing a malfunction is not the easiest task, because although most of the symptoms can be felt when starting the engine, some of them can appear at an unexpected moment and without any warning, causing complete confusion. Here some of the most common starter system malfunctions you may encounter.

The starter does not respond to an attempt to start the engine

In this case, a malfunction of the starter is not always an accurate interpretation, and the reasons for this should be considered primarily in discharged battery (especially when the light on the dashboard comes on and off after turning the key in the ignition). However, if our battery has nothing to complain about, it may be because faulty starter relay (this can also lead to damage to the ignition switch or its cable) or failure of the windings of the electromagnetic switch.

There is no starter reaction when trying to start the car, a metallic noise is heard

This single beep or series of beeps could also indicate a dead battery, but the more likely the culprit is the starter motor, or rather electromagnet (The reason for the knocking we hear is the pinion hitting the flywheel rim.) The source of the failure could be in this case faulty contacts of the electromagnetic switchwhich do not close the electrical system. How to check the starter solenoid? It is enough to carry out a simple experiment and provoke a short circuit by bringing two small metal objects, such as screws, close to each other.

The starter motor works, but the crankshaft does not turn.

In such situations, we can clearly hear the starter, but the engine does not start. The reason may be broken clutch or damaged forkwhich are responsible for connecting the clutch system to the flywheel rim.

Pacemaker makes loud noises

Here, in turn, the starter motor connects to the flywheel rim, but does not rotate it (a distinct rattling sound is heard). This may be due to damaged or worn teeth in the clutch or flywheel.

Starter cannot turn off

This is a slightly rarer type of rejection that occurs uninterrupted operation of the starting systemdespite turning the ignition key from position II to position III. The most common cause is jamming of the clutch system gear on the flywheel rim.

How to check a car starter? Basic and advanced diagnostics

The starter and the technical condition of the entire starting system are checked at two levels. The first, main method is test carried out in the vehicle when starting the engine... These are actions taken at the very beginning to tentatively characterize the failure. These include external testing, measuring voltage and voltage drops, or checking the continuity of the starting circuit. The second part of the study takes place on laboratory bench on which individual parameters of the starter are checked in detail, incl. the condition of the brushes and the switch, the quality of the insulation of the wires, a possible short circuit of the windings, measurement of the resistance of the switch windings and much more.

A properly working starter determines whether we can start the car at all. That is why it is so important to check its technical condition and, if necessary, carry out regular repairs. If you are looking for a new starter for your car, check out the offer at avtotachki.com!

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Author of the text: Shimon Aniol