Signs And Symptoms Of A Bad Starter - 1A Auto

In the old days, engines were started by a hand-crank that had enough force to break an arm. Eventually car starters were invented to handle this task. Today, there are a few different kinds of starters but all bad starters display similar signs and symptoms when defective. This article will cover the signs of a bad starter, why they fail, and how to diagnose a bad starter yourself.

1. Car Won’t Start

Considering the starter’s role in starting the engine, one of the most common signs of a bad starter is the car not starting. This can manifest in a few ways:

Dashboard Lights Turn on but not the Engine

If the car doesn’t start but the dash lights up when the key is turned to the on position, the problem is most likely not with the battery and may be the starter.

“One Click” Sound

When trying to start the car, if the vehicle does not start but you hear a single click sound like the one displayed in the video below, it is likely from a bad starter.

Chattering Sound

Also displayed in the video below, you may hear a chattering sound when trying to start the vehicle. This is more likely the battery, but it could be the starter if the battery is fine.

NOTE: If the vehicle is your daily driver and suddenly won’t start, there’s a good chance it’s the starter. If the vehicle history is unknown, it could be a different problem, like a seized engine.

2. Slow to No Engine Crank

Another symptom of a bad starter is the engine cranking slowly or not at all. If the engine fails to crank at all but you can hear the starter motor spinning, something is keeping the pinion from engaging properly. It could be from broken teeth in the starter or on pre-engaged starters, the solenoid.

If the engine is cranking like normal but not starting, it’s probably not the battery or the starter.