About the car starter motor:
When you turn your car’s keys or press the Start button on the dash with your foot on the brake, electricity is sent to the starter motor, which plays the important role of getting your engine’s parts moving. The starter motor achieves this by turning the engine’s flywheel. When combined with the ignition from the spark plugs, and fuel from the injectors the engine is able to begin operating.
Learn more about how the starter motor works >
Starter motors only operate when the car is started. This means that it is abnormal for the starter motor to be subject to extreme wear. However, the starter motor can eventually fail and this can often happen unexpectedly. When the starter motor stops working, you will not be able to get your car’s engine to run. This is because although ignition can still take place, there is no force present to get your engine turning.
Starter motor or battery?
Many people will often confuse the symptoms of a failed starter motor to those of a bad car battery. If your engine still won’t turn over after jump-starting, the starter motor may need replacement. If jump-starting your car gets it to run, but it stops working shortly after, then the battery or alternator / charging system is most likely the culprit.
When should you change the starter motor?
The exact lifespan of a starter motor varies. For many cars, the starter motor will never need replacement. However, holding the key in start position for too long can cause damage to the starter motor.
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your starter motor may need replacement. Contact your mechanics to determine if the starter motor is causing these issues:
- No crank when turning the keys.
- The starter takes a long time to crank the engine and the engine turns over slower than normal.
- The starter motor remains engaged at all times, producing a loud grinding noise.
- The starter motor is much louder than normal.
- The starter motor works intermittently. In other words sometimes the starter motor engages and the engine starts, and sometimes nothing happens when trying to start the engine. This could be due to the starter motor brushes being worn out, or damage / wear of the starter motor commutator. Also a faulty ignition barrel, and starter relay can cause the starter to work only sometimes.
Starter Motor Replacement in Hamilton
Is your car in need of a new starter motor? If so, we can help! At Grimmer Motors, our team of professional mechanics can quickly diagnose the cause of your car not cranking and starting. Whether it’s the starter motor, battery or alternator, we can fix the problem and get your car running again.
For starter motor repair, diagnostics and replacement in Hamilton, contact Grimmer Motors today!