The primary thing that happens when the starter goes bad is you won’t be able to get your engine started. We will talk more about this below. Getz Automotive can replace your starter if it has gone bad. If you drive an older automobile, there’s a strong possibility that the starter needs to be replaced if you notice one or more of the following problems.
Noise Before Ignition
Strange noises before ignition pointed to the starter motor. This is a tiny motor that gets your engine started, hence the starter’s name. You may not receive an audible warning before the starter dies, but if you do, it may be a clicking or whirring sound. If the engine starts after you hear either of these noises, bring your vehicle to our shop to prevent being stuck with the dead engine.
Hard Starts/No Starts
As we mentioned above, the engine cannot start without the starter motor. If the starter is malfunctioning, you will find it difficult if not impossible to get your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s engine started. Sometimes, the problem will begin with difficulty getting the engine started but it firing up eventually. The problem will end with a dead engine.
Dead Engine With Lights
If you do have a dead engine, check your vehicle’s lights to make sure that they are working. If they are, the problem is the starter. Anytime the lights are working but the engine is dead points to the starter rather than the battery or the alternator. If the lights are not working, the battery or alternator could be the problem because they are not providing the electricity the lights need.
Hot Odors and Smoke
If you are unable to get your motor to fire up yet you keep trying, you will overheat the starter. When this happens, you will smell burning odors coming from the engine and see smoke flowing out from underneath the hood. If the engine does not start after the first few attempts, do not continue to try to fire it up. You will not get anywhere.
Oil Saturation
Finally, we mentioned in the introduction to this blog post that a dead starter is a common problem in older automobiles. This being said, if your cylinder block starts to leak oil onto the starter, this will cause problems with the starter no matter the age of your automobile.
Getz Automotive in Fuquay-Varina, NC, can replace the starter motor if it needs it. Call us today for an appointment.