Why would a starter suddenly fail?
2 Answers
Starter suddenly failing may be caused by mismatched or missing teeth on the car's flywheel, which requires timely inspection and repair at a 4S shop. Below is relevant information about automotive starters: Symptoms of failure: The manifestation of a damaged car starter is the starter not turning, failure to rotate when the ignition switch is engaged, etc. Regardless of the issue, vehicle owners should seek professional repair services as they generally cannot perform repairs themselves. Working principle: The starter's operation is based on Ampere's Law, involving the conversion of energy where a current-carrying conductor experiences force in a magnetic field. A starter consists of essential components including an armature, commutator, magnetic poles, brushes, bearings, and housing.
One of the most common reasons for a sudden starter failure is battery issues. When the battery is aged or has insufficient charge, it requires higher current during startup, causing the starter to overload and fail. Another factor is a faulty solenoid switch, which is responsible for connecting the circuit. If the contacts are eroded or stuck, the starter won't function properly. In extreme weather conditions, such as cold winters, engine oil thickens, increasing startup resistance. If the gears jam or the flywheel teeth don't engage securely, the starter can be instantly destroyed. Loose electrical connections are also a hidden danger, especially corroded wires or detached terminals, leading to unstable current and short circuits. I've encountered this situation several times before—always discovered during garage maintenance. It's advisable to use a multimeter to check the battery voltage during every service and avoid frequent startup attempts when the battery isn't fully charged. This can significantly extend the starter's lifespan.
