The average lifespan of the factory-installed starter is 100,000 miles. If you drive an automobile with at least that much on the odometer, the starter is going to fail sooner rather than later. Padron Automotive can test your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s starter to see if it is malfunctioning. If it is faulty, it will need to be replaced to avoid a dead engine. Let’s talk more about this below.
Strange Pre-Ignition Noises
Strange noises before the engine ignites are a sign that the starter is going bad. Specifically, you may hear the starter whir or click. Oftentimes, the engine will not start when you hear these noises. There are instances, however, when the starter will make the noise and still fire up the engine. If this is the case, drive to our shop so we can check the starter right away. You may get stuck otherwise.
The Engine Will Not Start
What we mean by being stuck is that the next time you try to start the engine it may not fire up. The starter does what its name suggests: It starts the engine. A malfunctioning starter can prevent the engine from firing up no matter how many times you press the start button or turn the ignition key. Without a functioning starter, you will end up with a dead engine in your automobile.
The Lights Are Working
If the engine won’t start at all, check the lights. If the lights work, the engine is not starting because the starter motor has died. When the lights are working, this means that the battery and alternator are still producing power. If the lights are not working, it’s possible that your engine is not starting because you have a dead battery. A quick light check can help you determine why you have a dead engine.
Hot Odors and/or Smoke
We mentioned above that if the starter is dead your engine is dead. No amount of effort is going to fire up the engine if the starter cannot do its job. A clear sign that the starter is not working is hot odors and/or smoke coming out from underneath the hood. This means the starter motor has overheated. This can happen if you keep trying to start your car, truck, or C/SUV.
Padron Automotive in Topeka, KS, can help, so call us today. We can test the starter motor and replace it if it is going bad.
