What is the reason for the starter sometimes not responding when starting?
2 Answers
The reasons why the starter does not respond when starting: there is a problem with the control circuit of the starter; the starter brushes are faulty; the battery does not have sufficient voltage; the relay is malfunctioning; poor contact of the starter's magnetic switch, etc. Common faults and phenomena where the starter often fails to rotate or rotates slowly are as follows: 1. The battery is dead or weak: resulting in the starter not rotating or rotating slowly. 2. Loose or detached starter wiring: switch or adsorption switch failure. 3. Worn brushes or misaligned brush surface: weak spring, leading to poor contact with the commutator. 4. Short circuit or open circuit in the field coil or armature coil. 5. Dirty commutator: protruding mica sheets causing poor contact between the brushes and the commutator.
With years of experience in car repair, I often encounter intermittent issues with starters. There are several reasons for this problem: the most common is battery aging, where insufficient power or corroded terminals cause poor contact; worn carbon brushes inside the starter or a stuck engagement mechanism can also lead to intermittent faults; burnt contacts in the ignition switch or faulty relay contacts may result in poor signal transmission; occasionally, the vehicle's anti-theft system can interfere with the start signal. Cold weather further reduces battery performance, exacerbating the issue. I recommend car owners first check the battery voltage (below 12V is risky) and clean the terminal connections. If the problem persists, professional repair is necessary—otherwise, it may affect driving safety or even lead to a breakdown on the road.
