can car start without starter

[RosalieFitz]

No, a conventional modern car cannot start without a functional starter motor. The starter is an electric motor responsible for cranking the engine to initiate the combustion cycle. When you turn the key or press the start button, the starter solenoid engages a small pinion gear with the engine's flywheel, and the motor spins the engine to a sufficient speed (typically 200-300 RPM) for fuel and spark to take over. Without this initial rotation, the engine's pistons won't move, and the cycle cannot begin.

While older vehicles could be push-started or roll-started (a technique where the car's momentum is used to turn the engine), this only works for manual transmission cars. It is impossible with most modern automatic transmissions because they lack a mechanical connection between the wheels and the engine when the car is off. A faulty starter is a common cause of a "no-crank" condition, where you might hear a single click but the engine doesn't turn over.

Here are common symptoms and their likely causes related to starter failure:

Symptom	Possible Cause	Typical Repair Cost (Parts & Labor)
Single click, no engine crank	Faulty starter solenoid or motor	$400 - $600
Rapid clicking sound	Weak battery or poor connections	$150 - $300 (for battery)
Grinding noise during start	Worn starter pinion or flywheel teeth	$500 - $900
Whirring sound, no crank	Starter motor spinning but not engaging	$400 - $600
No sound, no lights	Completely dead battery or bad ignition switch	$150 - $500

Diagnosing the issue correctly is crucial. A dead battery or corroded battery terminals can mimic starter failure. Before assuming the worst, check the battery voltage; it should be at least 12.4 volts. If the battery is strong, the problem likely lies with the starter itself, the solenoid, or the ignition switch wiring. Replacing a starter is a standard repair, but labor costs can vary significantly depending on the car's make and model, as access to the component can be difficult.

[PatrickLynn]

Nope, it's a no-go. That starter motor is the thing that gets the whole party started. Think of it like a key turning a lock; the starter is the key that gets the engine spinning. If it's dead, you're just not going anywhere. I learned this the hard way when my old truck just made a sad clicking sound one morning. A jump-start didn't help—it was the starter itself. Had to get it towed and replaced.

[QuinnLee]

For a car to start, the engine must begin rotating. The starter motor is the only component designed to do this electrically. If it fails, the engine remains stationary. The only exception is with manual transmission vehicles, which can sometimes be push-started by using the car's momentum to turn the engine over. This bypasses the starter entirely but is not a reliable solution and won't work on automatics. A non-functional starter typically requires professional replacement.

[OVera]

You're basically asking if you can lift a car without a jack. The starter is the jack. It's a high-torque electric motor that does the hard work of getting the engine's heavy internals moving from a dead stop. Everything else—fuel injection, spark plugs—relies on the engine already spinning. Without that initial crank, nothing happens. Your options are very limited: fix the starter, or if you have a manual, find a hill to roll down and pop the clutch. For most folks, it's a call to the mechanic.