What are the symptoms of water entering a car starter?
2 Answers
In fact, when the engine is slightly flooded, the vehicle will exhibit some symptoms, such as insufficient power and idle shaking. If a small amount of water enters the engine, besides seeking professional inspection at a 4S shop, you can also use the following methods to determine whether the engine has been flooded. Below is a detailed introduction to car 4S shops: 1. Sales and After-Sales: 4S shops can be divided into sales and after-sales sections, where sales are further categorized into new car sales, used car sales, corporate client sales, and beauty and accessory sales. After-sales services include routine maintenance, insurance accident claims, manufacturer warranty claims, and car insurance sales. 2. Brand Dealership: As an automotive brand dealership, a 4S shop must adhere to the manufacturer's requirements, including uniform store design, standardized management, consistent service standards, unified brand culture, and coordinated marketing campaign themes. Automobile manufacturers also assess the operational conditions of 4S shops, as they represent the brand's culture and values and serve as the direct channel for customers to engage with the brand.
The symptoms of a starter motor getting water inside are quite obvious. I remember one time when the car was parked in rainwater and water seeped in. When I tried to start it, there was no response at all—not even a sound. Sometimes you might hear a clicking noise, but the engine won't turn over, as if it's stuck. If it does start, the noise is terrifyingly loud, like a sharp metal grinding sound. This happens because water has entered the starter, causing the brushes or coils to short-circuit, leading to unstable current flow and easily blowing fuses—I had to replace the fuse twice in one attempt. If water ingress isn’t repaired over time, the copper components inside the starter will corrode, eventually leading to complete failure and requiring a replacement. If you experience starting issues after driving through water, stop and check immediately—don’t force it, or a small problem could turn into a costly repair. To prevent this, I always avoid parking in low-lying areas during car washes or rainy seasons to keep things dry.
