What Are the Symptoms of a Bad Starter on a Car?

Power - by Joe Weber - updated on 8/5/2024

We've all experienced the frustration of walking out to our car only to find that the engine won't start. When that happens, there are many potential causes. It could be that you have a dead battery on your hands.

However, If your battery's not to blame, you might be dealing with a malfunctioning starter. Find out how to determine if your vehicle's starter is bad and what you can do about it.

Is It My Battery or Starter?

There are several warning signs that your battery might be on its way out. That being said, your starter may exhibit similar symptoms if it is starting to fail.

Here are some of the symptoms of a failing starter. You may notice that some of these can also be a symptom of a bad battery.

• Clicking Sound: When you turn the key or press the start button, you might hear a single click or a series of clicks. This indicates that the starter solenoid is trying to engage but cannot.
• No Sound: If you turn the key and nothing happens (no sound, no cranking), it could be a sign of a faulty starter.
• Intermittent Operation: The car may start sometimes and not others. This inconsistency can indicate a problem with the starter.
• Slow Cranking: The engine turns over very slowly and may struggle to start. This could be due to a weak starter motor.
• Grinding Noise: A grinding noise when starting the car can indicate that the starter drive gear is worn out or not engaging properly with the flywheel.
• Smoke: Smoke coming from under the hood when starting the car can be a sign of a short circuit in the starter or an issue with the electrical connections.
• Dashboard Lights: The dashboard lights might dim when you attempt to start the car. This can indicate that the starter is drawing too much current.

What Causes Starters To Go Bad?

• Loose wiring to and from the starter can disrupt the starter's connection to electrical power, preventing your engine from cranking.
• Dirty or corroded connections at the starter cause higher resistance between circuits, disrupting power flow and resulting in a weak crank or failure to crank.
• Battery corrosion, whether due to overheating, damage from leaking, or battery age, can cause electrical problems if left unattended.
• Damaged or worn-out parts in the starter system, such as the starter to battery cable and the starter relay, may wear out over time and need replacement. A technician can help repair and replace faulty parts.
• Oil leaks, often a problem in older vehicles, can render the starter inoperable if enough engine oil leaks onto it, necessitating engine oil leak repair and a replacement starter.
• A bad starter relay can result in an engine that won't turn over or a starter that continues to crank after start-up.

Will Jump Starting Work if the Starter is Bad?

If your starter has truly failed, no, connecting to a jump starter will not crank the engine. If you connect your battery to a jump starter and successfully jump-start the car the likely scenario is that you have a weak or dying battery, not a bad starter.

The key to avoiding being stranded is to test your charging system regularly.

Test Your Battery and Starter Often

Address concerns before they become problems with early diagnosis. Testing your battery at home or driving over to your nearest Batteries Plus to have it professionally tested will give you insights into its performance and life, on top of the charging system and starter performance.

Having your car or truck battery professionally tested at Batteries Plus will also give you peace of mind about your starter and alternator. We will check to make sure that your charging system is functioning as it should before you hit the road.

If after we test everything, your battery and charging systems look great, more than likely your starter would be to blame for any starting issues and you should take it to a mechanic as soon as possible to have it investigated.