What are the signs of a bad starter motor?
2 Answers
The signs of a bad starter motor are as follows: Starter does not rotate: When starting the car, the starter motor is unable to drive the flywheel effectively, sometimes rotating and sometimes not. When the starter does not rotate, there is a clicking sound from the electromagnetic switch, indicating that the car motor may be damaged or the battery is low. Smoke from the motor during startup: When starting the vehicle, the starter motor may jam and emit smoke. The starter may overheat severely, potentially leading to a short circuit or fire. In this case, immediately turn off the ignition key and disconnect the power to prevent a fire. The car motor is actually the common name for the starter. If the starter is damaged, when you insert the key and attempt to start the car, the engine will not start normally.
I've experienced a faulty starter motor several times. When you turn the key to start the car, if you only hear a clicking sound but the engine doesn't budge; or there's complete silence, lifeless; sometimes you can hear the motor spinning freely, like it's sneezing, but the car just won't start. This usually indicates that the internal drive components of the motor are worn out or stuck. I remember last winter, my car had this issue, and it got worse in cold weather. Later, the inspection revealed a short circuit in the motor coil. It's advisable not to force-start the car to avoid worsening the problem. By the way, related to this: low battery charge can cause similar symptoms. It's best to check the battery with a voltmeter. If it's normal, go straight to a repair shop to replace the motor, saving you from a sudden breakdown on the road.
