HOW TO SOLVE A BAD STARTER PROBLEM ON YOUR CAR? -

This article is meant as a general guide for how to solve a bad starter problem.

If this issue appears, you may decide to solve it on your own or seek professional help. Whatever the case may be, there are a couple of important things you should consider.

Mainly to get the best outcome from that repair and to stay out of trouble.

Besides this website, we also have our YouTube channel where you can see videos about this topic but also other car related videos.

HOW TO SOLVE A BAD STARTER PROBLEM?

1. MAKE SURE THE STARTER IS THE PROBLEM

First and most important, be 100% percent sure the starter is the actual problem. Not something else.

For instance, weak cranking, slow cranking, no cranking at all, a clicking sound when cranking, and else can all be caused by things like a weak battery, dirty battery or loose battery clamps, burnt out fuses, bad ground connections, and else.

To avoid a wild goose chase and if you have any doubts, check all of these, it may well save you some money and time.

2. CAN YOU DO THE JOB ON YOUR OWN?

If you conclude that the starter is the problem, the next step is making a good assessment of the repair.

Mainly, can you actually reach the starter, replace it, or make the repairs on it.

This is immensely important regarding how to solve a bad starter problem. By doing this you may avoid big problems, costs, and getting yourself in a tight spot.

We mention this since lots of modern cars have tight engine bays, especially ones with bigger engines.

Changing the starter is a fairly simple job, but sometimes, getting to it and getting it out of the engine bay may involve taking off plastic covers, engine mounts, pipes, hoses, and other parts.

Also, know that you’ll need some advanced knowledge to make a repair on the starter.

Besides this, if you drive a high-tech car, it is best not to do any of this since it may require special tools and knowledge.

If you see any of this on your car, then it is best to leave the professionals to do the job.

It may be faster and, very likely, cheaper.

3. DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM

If you decide to do the job, then make a proper diagnosis of the problem. What’s the cause? Is it a solenoid, are the brushes worn out, is it a bad rotor or driving pinion perhaps?

By doing this, you can conclude what actually caused the problem but also have a good picture of what lies ahead regarding repairs.

Mainly, should you buy a new starter or fix the one you have?

4. DECIDE IF YOU WANT TO BUY A NEW ONE OR REPAIR THE OLD ONE

Next, decide if you want to buy a new starter or repair the old one.

Regarding that matter and how to solve a bad starter problem, here is a short summary.

If the rotor or stator is bad, buy a new starter. These parts are the most expensive and almost cost as a new starter.

If the brushes, solenoid, or driving pinion is faulty, then repair it. The prices of these parts are such that there is common sense in doing this. This goes double if you’re doing the repair on your own.

There is always the possibility of buying a used starter. It’s a viable option, but as with all used parts, you don’t know what you get.

In any case, ask around how much a new starter costs, how much the parts are, and how much a repair costs and compare this to your possibilities.

5. REPLACE OR FIX THE STARTER

Next, either replace the bad starter with a new one or fix the one you have.

Again, best to look at the cost of each repair and see what suits you best.

You can save some money by doing the replacement yourself, provided you have good accessibility.

So you can buy a new starter or let someone else fix it, and you do the replacement.

Of course, the best and cost-effective solution is to do everything on your own, especially if you can repair the starter. This way, you can save some serious money.

CONCLUSION

For the end and to summarize how to solve a bad starter problem. If you see you can’t reach the starter, and if there are lots of obstacles in the way, don’t do the repair and let the professionals do it.

If you can reach it, go ahead and make the repair. Installing a new starter is the easiest option, but fixing it is often much cheaper.

Weigh out all of the possibilities wisely, since it may mean the difference between making a simple repair that you’ll enjoy and can easily afford and a nervewrecking, costly, and sometimes impossible repair.