About starter motor brushes
Had a rough morning in Hamilton traffic, hit that roundabout by Te Rapa and the car just wouldn’t start? Let’s have a yarn about something you might not even think about till it plays up – the starter motor brushes. Doesn’t matter if you drive a Mazda Atenza, Honda Fit, or even the odd Alfa Romeo that comes through from Tamahere, every car’s starter motor relies on these small bits to get you moving.
Basically, the starter motor is the bit that gets your engine cranking when you turn the key or hit the button. The brushes inside there are little blocks, mostly carbon or sometimes copper, that push against the commutator. That’s how all the battery power makes it from the electrics to the moving bits inside your starter. They’re spring-loaded, which helps them keep decent contact, even after a few years tackling potholes on Gordonton Road or those farm tracks heading out towards Morrinsville.
If you think about how often you stop and start around Hamilton – all those school runs, early-morning trips to Chartwell, or stuck waiting outside The Base on a Saturday – those brushes see heaps of action. Over time, just from normal driving, they’ll wear down. Especially if you’re doing a lot of the short trips. Doesn’t matter if it’s a Toyota Wish, old Ford Mondeo, or one of those new Kia hybrids, they all wear out unless they’re electric-only!
What makes starter brushes wear out?
We see it all the time in the workshop, especially cars from busy places like Rototuna or flagging after some dodgy backroad detours near Cambridge. Some of the main causes of brush wear:
- Dodgy electrics – sometimes there’s a voltage surge or issue in the wiring, especially after a jumpstart or old battery
- Commutator’s worn or scored up – brushes can’t make proper contact, so they spark heaps
- Brushes from factory just a bit soft or worn out extra quick, especially with older imports (seen it with some Suzuki Swifts from Japan!)
- If your alternator or battery’s not keeping up, sometimes you get too much draw through the starter
Sparking between the brushes and the commutator isn’t great. You’ll sometimes smell it – sort of a burnt electric smell – or even see smoke if it’s real bad. If you want to get all technical, there’s more info on Wikipedia about starter motors and commutators, but honestly, if it’s acting up just bring it in and we’ll suss it for you.
How do you know if your starter brushes are shot?
Classic symptoms we see at Grimmer Motors in Hamilton:
- Slow to crank or won’t crank at all – You turn the key, nothing, or super sluggish cranking, especially cold mornings like in Raglan or on a foggy winter’s day in Glenview.
- Clicking noise – That “click click click” without the engine turning over? Often dodgy or worn brushes.
- Lights dimming – Your dash or headlights flicker or dip when you hit the starter, especially after a stop at New World Hillcrest or during school dropoff in Melville.
- Grinding noise – Usually this is bad, either the gears are grinding or brushes are so worn the starter doesn’t engage properly.
Mostly it just feels like it’s harder work to start, especially first thing in the morning or after the car’s sat a while. If this sounds like your Volkswagen Polo, or your Nissan Tiida’s struggling after a summer of running the AC on hot days, pop in and we’ll take a look. Better to catch a worn brush early before you get stranded at Pak’nSave Carpark or halfway up Dinsdale Hill.
Starter motor repairs and replacements in Hamilton
If you’re around Hamilton (or anywhere nearby—Te Awamutu, Ngaruawahia, Morrinsville, you name it) and your starter motor’s playing up, we’re here to help you get back on the road. Whether it’s a full starter replacement, reconditioning the brushes, or just some honest advice about hybrid repair or a general car service Hamilton, our technicians have seen it all – from Audis to old Daihatsus.
You don’t always need a brand-new starter either. Sometimes it’s just the brushes or a quick fix that’ll sort it right. Don’t stress if you’re not sure what’s up, that’s what we’re here for. Drop in, have a chat, let’s get your motor sorted.