Generally speaking, you can plan to get about 100,000 miles out of your car’s original factory starter. Sellers Automotive advises that you may begin to have problems with the starter after this coveted mileage milestone. We are going to list the signs of a faulty starter below. If you bring your vehicle to our shop at the first sign of trouble, you may avoid getting stranded with a dead engine.
Pre-Ignition Noises
Sometimes, the first sign of trouble is a strange noise before the engine actually ignites. The starter can make a clicking sound or it may whir loudly. If you get your engine started after hearing either noise, come to our auto service shop in Sanford, North Carolina right away so we can test the starter and replace it. If you breathe easy because you were able to get your engine started, you may end up with…
A Dead Engine
Eventually, the starter motor will no longer be able to facilitate the intake of air and fuel into the combustion chamber. When this happens, you will not be able to get your car, truck, or C/SUV started. This is why it is important to have the starter tested right away if you hear a strange pre-ignition sound. This being said, your starter can die without giving you any warning at all.
Lights That Work
If you are stranded and unable to get your engine started, the next step is to check your vehicle’s lights. The lights will not work if the battery is dead or if the alternator is no longer generating electricity. The thing that will clue you in to the fact that the engine is dead because of the starter is working lights. Working lights show that the battery and alternator are producing electricity.
Smoke/Hot Odors
Continuing in your effort to start your automobile will only overheat the starter motor if it is dead. This will leave you with smoke coming out from underneath the hood and hot odors in the engine. It’s better to stop your ignition efforts and call for a tow truck. Overheating the starter motor is not going to accomplish a thing, especially if the starter is soaked in oil because of the leaking cylinder block.
Sellers Automotive in Sanford, NC, is here to help, so call us today or head straight to our shop if you suspect that your starter is dying. We can test this ignition part and replace it if necessary.