What are the symptoms of a bad starter?
2 Answers
The symptoms of a bad starter are: the vehicle cannot start or has difficulty starting, unstable idle speed, prone to stalling, inability to accelerate when power is insufficient, excessive fuel consumption and emissions, and a rattling sound from the starter drive gear impacting the flywheel teeth. The starter, also known as the motor, converts the electrical energy from the battery into mechanical energy to drive the engine flywheel rotation and achieve engine startup. Starters are categorized by working principle into DC starters, gasoline starters, and compressed air starters. Most internal combustion engines use DC starters, which are characterized by compact structure, simple operation, and easy maintenance.
My car had a starter failure the other day. When I turned the ignition key, the engine didn't budge at all, and I only heard a few clicking sounds, as if something was stuck. I tried several times with no response, and I panicked a bit, thinking the battery was dead. But the battery indicator was on. Later, I called a tow truck to take it to the repair shop, where I learned it was a starter issue. The technician said these symptoms usually indicate either the starter gear isn't engaging or the solenoid is faulty, especially after a car has been driven for several years—internal parts wear out and are prone to problems. Another common scenario is when the engine cranks very slowly during startup, taking forever to start, which could mean the starter motor lacks sufficient power. If you encounter such issues, don't force it—you risk damaging other components. I regret not getting regular check-ups sooner. Actually, starter failures are rarely related to the battery or electrical system. If you hear a continuous buzzing sound during startup, the starter might also be the culprit.
