Three symptoms indicating a defective starter: Tips for troubleshooting starters and alternators
04-11-2020Since an internal combustion engine cannot start by itself, a functioning starter is essential for a roadworthy vehicle. Below, we’d also like to give you some helpful tips for troubleshooting starters and alternators.
Starter and alternator faults: rare, but not impossible
Starters are fundamentally maintenance-free and will do their job over the entire life of a vehicle. However, should they fail or malfunction, in many cases this is due to oxidised or faulty electrical connections, defective solenoid switches, damaged electric motors or worn single-pinion gears, or the driving pinion (wear or "clogging-up") or freewheel.
Three symptoms indicating a defective starter
If you notice these signs when there is a faulty start attempt, this indicates that the starter is defective:
➔ No response when actuating the ignition start switch.
➔ The starter "clacks", but does not engage.
➔ The starter audibly turns, but without driving the engine.
Approaches to searching for the cause of the failure
A starter malfunction can have different causes: Perhaps the electrical connections are faulty. A stiff or defective magnetic switch (engaging relay) could also be a possible cause. To be on the safe side, also check the electric motor for damage and take a close look at the single-pinion gears, starter pinion or freewheel.
