What to Do When the Car Starter Motor Turns Weakly?
2 Answers
Solutions for weak car starting are as follows: 1. Check the battery capacity and the connection of the power cables. 2. If the battery capacity is sufficient and the wiring connections are good, use a metal strip to short-circuit the two main terminals of the starter solenoid switch. If the starter turns strongly after short-circuiting, it indicates poor contact between the main contacts and the contact disc inside the starter solenoid switch. If the starter still turns weakly after short-circuiting, it can be concluded that the motor has a fault or poor grounding, requiring further disassembly and inspection. 3. After turning on the starter switch, if the starter makes a continuous "clicking" sound and turns normally when the two main terminals of the starter solenoid switch are short-circuited, it indicates a short circuit or open circuit in the holding coil of the solenoid switch.
Last winter, I also experienced a situation where the car starter turned weakly, like an old man panting. The most common cause is a weak battery. Use a multimeter to check the voltage—if it's below 12 volts, it's time to charge or replace it. Check the terminals for rust or looseness, and clean the connections with sandpaper. If it's a manual transmission car, you can try push-starting, but don’t do it too often to avoid damaging the car. Always remember to turn off the lights and electronics when parking, and replace the battery if it's too old. That’s how I handled it last time—saving money and staying safe. Don’t worry too much about this minor issue; most of the time, it’s just a battery problem. With proper maintenance, the car can still run for a long time. If you can’t solve it yourself, take it to a professional shop to check if the starter has wear or damage.
