5 COMMON SYMPTOMS OF BAD STARTER BRUSHES -

As a driver, you should know what are the most common symptoms of bad starter brushes.

Mainly to avoid getting stranded with a car that you can’t start.

If the brushes are worn out or damaged, the starter will have less torque or will not work at all.

But if you notice the symptoms we’re going to show you on time, you can perhaps avoid trouble altogether.

Besides this website, you can also watch videos on our YouTube channel, where we have many car-related videos that may help with maintenance, driving, etc.

SYMPTOMS OF BAD STARTER BRUSHES

1. OCCASIONAL CLICKING SOUND

One of the first symptoms of bad starter brushes is an occasional clicking sound when you start the car.

What’s symptomatic of worn-out brushes is that the car can start a hundred times without any problems and then suddenly malfunction.

In the beginning phase, it can be easily mistaken for a solenoid problem, a bad electrical contact, or else.

For more information about starter problems, click here.

2. THE DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHTS GO DIM

Next, when the mentioned occasional malfunction does happen, if you pay close attention, you can notice one more sure symptom of bad starter brushes.

That is, when you turn the ignition key, and there’s no cranking, the dashboard lights go a bit dim, and this lasts as long as you hold the ignition key.

It’s not the same as with a flat battery or with dirty battery clamps. It’s barely noticeable.

3. A WEAK STARTER TURNOVER

Another one of the common symptoms of bad starter brushes is a weak turnover of the starter, or lazy cranking. It much resembles a problem with bad starter bushings or a flat battery.

This symptom also appears occasionally. When the brushes are severely worn out and when they don’t have good contact with the rotor, this happens.

Most times, with this symptom, the starter first clicks and then starts very slowly, cranking the engine.

If you want to see how to solve a bad starter problem, click here.

4. A MILD BURNING SMELL FROM THE ENGINE BAY

When the weak cranking occurs, you may sense a barely noticeable burning smell coming from the engine bay and the starter.

The smell appears because the starter heats up. This is because of the electric arcing produced by a weak contact between the brushes and the commutator.

5. THE STARTER STOPS WORKING COMPLETELY

Finally, when the brushes are completely worn out, the car will not start at all. You turn the ignition key, there’s no cranking, and the dashboard lights go dim.

This happens when the brushes are totally depleted or stuck in the brush holder, and they can’t touch the rotor anymore.

In this case, you can try to knock on the starter with a broom handle, stick, or mildly with a hammer. In lots of cases, the starter will work again, but only for a short time.

Also, this is a form of diagnosing the problem. If the starter cranks after you hit it, the brushes are the problem almost 100% percent.

To see the complete article on this topic, click here.

CONCLUSION

The best time to solve this problem is when the starter malfunctions occasionally.

When this happens, make an inspection. If you conclude that the brushes are the problem, and if you have access to the starter, you can take it off, take the starter apart, and change the brushes.

In most cases, you can buy the brushes together with the holder, making the replacement even easier.

Either this, or replace the whole starter. Do what suits you best, just do it on time so you don’t end up stranded with a car that can’t start.