How to check the starter?

If you can't start anymore, it could be a problem with your car's starter or battery. If you want to test your starter motor, here's a step-by-step procedure!

Step 1. Try to start the car

Try starting the car normally and see what happens:

– If the engine speed is low, it is either the battery is discharged or the starter motor is defective.

- if the starter just clicks, the starter solenoid has failed

- if you don't hear any noise and the motor doesn't spin, the problem is probably with the solenoid power supply or the battery

Step 2: check the battery

To rule out any problems with the battery, it should be tested. It couldn't be easier, just connect a multimeter to the terminals to monitor the voltage. A working battery should not have a voltage lower than 13 volts.

Step 3: check the power to the solenoid

After the problem with the battery has been ruled out, it is necessary to check the power supply to the solenoid. To do this, connect a test light between the battery terminal and the solenoid power wire input, then try starting the car. If the light does not come on, the problem is not with the starter. If, on the contrary, the light comes on, then the problem with starting is related to the starter (or its power source).

Step 4. Check starter power.

If you have followed all the previous steps correctly, the last thing to check is the power of the starter. The first thing to do is to check the condition of the battery terminals and clean them if necessary. It is also recommended to check the tightness as well as the connection status of the positive cable connected to the solenoid.

If you followed all these recommendations, now you can find out whether to change the starter or not. Remember that our proven garages are at your disposal if needed.