Starter Troubleshooting

General Automotive Repair

The general trouble shooting information lists common vehicle symptoms with possible solutions and is not for any particular vehicle make and model. For repair info specifically for your make and model please view the main directory. This troubleshooting guide pertains to any starter issues for example: "I hear a click but my car doesn't start, I crank my engine but it cranks real slowly and does not start, etc."

Starter does not work

• Dead battery or bad connections between starter and battery: Check battery charge and all wires and connections to starter
• Ignition switch faulty or misadjusted: Adjust or replace ignition switch
• Open circuit between starter switch ignition terminal on starter relay: Check and repair wires and connections as necessary
• Starter relay or starter defective
• Open solenoid pull-in wire

Starter does not work and headlights are dim

• Weak battery or dead cell: Charge or replace battery as necessary
• Loose or corroded battery connections: Check that battery connections are clean and tighten
• Internal ground in starter windings
• Grounded starter fields
• Armature rubbing on pole

Starter works but engine does not start

• Starter clutch slipping
• Broken clutch housing
• Pinion shaft rusted or dry
• Engine basic timing incorrect
• Broken teeth on engine flywheel: Replace flywheel and check for starter pinion gear damage
• Weak drive assembly thrust spring
• Weak hold-in coil

Starter Drive Will Not Engage

• Defective point assembly
• Poor point assembly ground
• Defective pull-in coil: Replace starter solenoid

Starter Relay Does Not Close

• Dead battery: Charge or replace battery as necessary
• Faulty wiring: Check all wiring and connections leading to relay
• Neutral safety switch faulty: Replace neutral safety switch
• Starter relay faulty: Replace starter relay

Starter Drive Will Not Disengage

• Starter motor loose on mountings: Tighten starter attach bolts
• Worn drive end bushing
• Damaged engine flywheel teeth: Replace flywheel and starter pinion gear for damage
• Drive yolk return spring broken or missing: Replace return spring
• Faulty ignition switch: Replace ignition switch
• Insufficient clearance between winding leads to solenoid terminal and main contact in solenoid: Replace starter solenoid
• Starter clutch not disengaging: Replace starter clutch
• Ignition starter switch: Replace ignition switch contacts sticking

Starter Relay Operates but Solenoid Does Not Click

• Faulty solenoid switch, switch connections or relay: Check all wiring between relay and solenoid or replace relay or solenoid as necessary
• Broken lead or loose soldered connections: Repair wire or wire connections as necessary

Solenoid Plunger Vibrates When Switch is Engaged

• Weak battery: Charge or replace battery as necessary
• Solenoid contacts corroded: Clean contacts or replace solenoid
• Faulty wiring: Check all wiring leading to solenoid
• Broken connections inside switch cover: Repair connections or replace solenoid
• Open hold-in wire: Replace solenoid

Low Current Draw

• Worn brushes or weak brush springs: Replace brushes or brush springs as necessary

High Pitched Whine During Cranking Before Engine Fires but Engine Fires and Cranks Normally

• Distance too great between starter pinion and flywheel: Align starter or check that correct starter and flywheel are being used

High Pitched Whine After Engine Fires With Key released. Engine Fires and Cranks Normally

• Distance too small between starter pinion and flywheel: Flywheel runout contributes to the intermittent nature

General Automotive Repair

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