Starter and generator. Typical malfunctions and repair costs
Starting problems afflict drivers during the autumn/winter season. It's not always a battery issue. The starter also often fails.
A typical winter breakdown that makes it difficult to start a car is problems with the starter. This item, as its name suggests, is an electromechanical component used to start an engine.
Gotta spin
The starter most often has a DC motor. In cars, buses and small vans, it is supplied with 12 V. In the case of trucks it is 24 V. This device consumes the most power of all receivers in a vehicle, but this happens for a very short time. period of time when the engine is running.
– Usually it is about 150-200 A, but there are cars that need up to 600 A. It all depends on the power of the starter, which in turn ranges from 0,4-10 kW, explains Kazimierz Kopec, owner of the Bendiks website. in Rzeszow.
To start the engine, the starter has to do a lot of work. First of all, it must overcome the friction resistance of the crankshaft bearings, pistons and engine compression. In the case of diesel engines, the speed required to start independent work is 100-200 rpm. And for gasoline cars, it is lower and usually amounts to 40-100 revolutions. Therefore, starters used in diesel engines are more powerful.
Light up more often, use up faster
Like any part of the car, the starter has a lifespan. In the case of trucks, it is assumed that this is usually 700-800 thousand. km. In cars, only 150-160 thousand. km. It is less, the more often the engine is started. The first symptoms of a breakdown are problems starting the engine and crackling from under the hood immediately after turning the key. They usually occur at low temperatures.
- The most frequent breakdowns are the wear of brushes, bendix and bushings. The most vulnerable to it are cars in which the starter is not sufficiently covered and a lot of dirt gets into it. This is, for example, the problem of Ford diesel engines, where they are covered with dirt from a worn clutch and a dual-mass wheel, explains Kazimierz Kopec.
What to do so that the car always starts in winter?
Very often, a breakdown occurs through the fault of the driver, who, when starting the engine, presses the gas pedal, and must depress the clutch pedal.
– This is a serious problem. Usually the starter spins at about 4 rpm when starting. rpm. By pressing the gas pedal, we increase it to about 10 XNUMX, which, under the influence of centrifugal forces, can lead to mechanical damage, explains Kazimierz Kopic.
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Comprehensive starter regeneration costs about PLN 70. The price includes diagnostics, cleaning and replacement of damaged and worn components. For comparison, a new original starter, for example, for a petrol two-liter Peugeot 406 costs about PLN 750. Replacement costs about 450 PLN.
Air conditioning also requires maintenance in autumn and winter
How to take care of this part? The mechanic states that it is very important to maintain the correct battery level. Especially in older vehicles, it is also important to periodically check the condition of this part. Removal and installation of the starter should always be done by a professional who will ensure that its seat is properly cleaned and secured. Professional refurbishment services usually come with a six month warranty.
You can't go far without electricity
The generator is also a very important element under the hood of the car. This is an alternator connected to the crankshaft using a V-ribbed belt or V-belt that transmits the drive. The generator is designed to supply energy to the electrical system of the car and to charge the battery while driving. The current stored in the battery is in turn needed during start-up when the generator is not running. The battery also powers the car's electrical system when the car is stationary when the engine is off. Of course, with the energy previously generated by the generator.
Therefore, its smooth operation is very important. With a damaged alternator, the car will only be able to drive as far as the energy stored in the battery is sufficient.
Since the alternator produces alternating current, a rectifier circuit is necessary for its design. It is he who is responsible for obtaining direct current at the output of the device. To maintain a constant voltage in the battery, on the contrary, its regulator is used, which maintains the charging voltage at 13,9-14,2V for 12-volt installations and 27,9-28,2V for 24-volt installations. The surplus in relation to the rated voltage of the battery is necessary to ensure its charge.
Autumn lights - how to care for them?
– The most common alternator failures are wear on the bearings, wear ring and governor brushes. They are more likely to occur in vehicles with leaks from leaking engine systems, as well as in vehicles exposed to external factors such as water or salt, explains Kazimierz Kopec.
Generator regeneration costs about PLN 70. For comparison, a new generator for a 2,2-liter Honda Accord diesel costs about 2-3 thousand. zloty.
Always visit a service station if the charging indicator does not turn off while driving. Do not delay with this, because after the battery is completely discharged, the car will simply stop - the nozzles will stop supplying fuel to the engine.
Grinding sounds, which usually indicate the need to replace the alternator bearings, should also be a cause for concern.
Text and photo: Bartosz Gubernat
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