How to Start a Car With a Bad Starter
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Most often, vehicle owners come across a huge challenge of starting a car with a bad starter. It is one of the most common faults for people. However, the industry has introduced cars that run on electric power. The purpose is to reduce such a problem. Not many people own electric vehicles. That’s why, in this article, we will tell you how to start a car with a bad starter. Read on!
Check the connections
First, you need to check the connections. It is because the electric current controls the ignition. Make sure the starter has no loose connection. Also, check the battery for loose connections. Most often, a bad starter is due to these things.
If you find any connection that is not secure in the way of the battery, it means that the starter has not current to power the vehicle. In case of any of loosening, you have to fasten the battery’s terminals using a ratchet.
If the battery connections are okay, then check the positive cable, which connects the battery. In general, the cable has two chords. One goes to the alternator, and the other one goes to the starter.
Now, take the line of the cable and find the loose connection. If you find nothing, then experts recommend using the bypass. You can do this by passing the positive cable over the battery link to have a jump start.
Check the ground connection
You can’t start the battery through a cable, which runs through the starter. It is a base cable, which operates with the transmission. It runs through the structure of the starter. Nonetheless, the base cables of the ground are from the transmission of the car’s body.
A bad starter is usually due to ground cables, which have become damaged. The primary cause it the controls of the cable that does not reach the starter. So, the cable of the transmission and the engine needs attention to maintain their optimal capacity.
You can connect a jumper cable from the terminal that has a negative sign through the taster to solve the issue. Well, you have to do this when you are 100% sure that the problem is due to the ground connection of the engine.
Check the solenoid cable
Most often, the solenoid makes a cranking sound, which means it has defects. So, it is one of the reasons for the main problem that the car is not starting.
If you think you can’t control the starter with kicking, then you should check the solenoid. When there are problems like rusting and griming, it means the car won’t start. You can solve such as problem by running the bypass cable over the starter’s solenoid cord.
Make sure you make a connection using a 12V cable from the battery to the solenoid. If you hear a click sound while cranking the engine, it means you have made a good connection.
Figure out corrosion
Corrosion can also cause the failure of the cable. It causes problems in the electric conductivity of the engine. Therefore, we recommend you to ensure no acid drops are causing the corrosion. Take prompt actions to handle this problem adequately.
You can do this by combining water and sodium bicarbonate in a small bowl. Then, you will use the mixture to wash the head of the terminal. Make sure you clean the terminals for a short time. Then, rinse out the connectors and terminals with hot water. Before you do this, you have boil the clean water.
During the process, check the engine and figure out any corrosion or grime in it. If you find it, then you should wash it. You also need to wipe the engine’s ground cable, the positive cable, and the solenoid connector.
Use a hammer
Using a hammer is a traditional technique to solve the problem of a bad starter. Experts suggest that one should use the hammer thumping while cranking the vehicle. If you are wondering why people use this method, then let us clarify you.
Well, it works because there are some inactive spots in the field coils. So, when you tap it with a hammer, it leads to the rotation of the armature and starts working. People have been using this method for many years, and it has worked for them.
Moreover, new vehicles have a transversal engine instead of a longitudinal one. So, most often, the thumping method using a hammer is not effective with new cars. It is because you can’t access the starter. So, if you are facing such an issue, we recommend you to use a lighter tool.
Jump start technique
It is important to have a jump start tool because it can solve the problem accurately. When you jumpstart the car, it will help you quickly solve the issue. However, this is a temporary solution. Once you have an optimally functioning battery, it provides good amperes to the vehicle’s starter to fix the problem and start the car.
Although it is temporary, you should try this technique too. It is because you want to fix the problem as soon as possible. Using a strong battery or a jump starter, you can activate the deceased spots and produce enough power for rotation.
The push method
The push method is one of the most popular ways to start a car. It is a conventional method and very effective for vehicles that have a manual transmission. The method will not work with automatic transmission vehicles. You can start the car using this method even if the battery is deceased or flat.
If you are alone, you may not be able to start the car. On the other hand, if you are with friends or family members, then you can use this method. So, ask them to stand behind the car and push forward it. Make sure you are in the driver’s seat to switch on the ignition.
Don’t forget to put the vehicle in the moving gear. Now, tell your friends to apply force on the car so that it achieves a speed of at last 10 miles per hour. When your car achieves this speed, then you let the clutch go.
Check the engine’s flywheel
Another way to solve this issue is by checking the flywheel and then fixing it. In general, it is a large wheel connecting the engine to the transmission. The starter gear attaches itself to the flywheel while cranking the engine. So, when you tend to detach the motor, make sure you leave the vehicle on neutral gear.
If your friend or someone else is there, ask him or her to spin the crankshaft. It will allow you to turn the center bolt of the crankshaft with a breaker bar or ratchet. You can find the pulley in the lower part of the engine. Remember, it is in the lower part of the front engine.
The pulley is an essential part of the engine that controls several components of the vehicles. For example, it controls the steering pump’s alternator. Now, you need to remove the flywheel to reach the pulley’s central bolt.
Test run
After you have checked the starter motor and fixed problems (if any), then you should test run it. If there are any problems and the car is not starting, it means the motor is defected and needs complete overhauling or replacement. A bad starter motor has bad transmission, no cranking, haggard brushes, shaft, and amateur. That’s why the test run is important to see if the problem persists
Final Words
If your car is not starting, it means it has defects in the starter. Also, it may be due to bad battery or damaged connections that do not pass the current. Whatever the reasons are, the method given above will help you fix them. Also, you can then start the car easily.
How do you bypass the starter on a car?
- Locate the starter motor under the vehicle.
- Locate the two metal contacts on the back of the starter solenoid.
- Place the metal blade of an insulated screwdriver across both metal contacts.
- Get a friend to help you by turning on the ignition with the key.
- Listen to the starter motor.
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Will an engine turn over if the starter is bad?
What to do if starter is not working?
- Look under the hood. Check the battery and battery cables to see whether everything’s in working order.
- Tap the starter. Try lightly tapping the starter a few times with a hard object, making sure not to pound it.
- Adjust the transmission.
- Check the fuel gauge.
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Can Autozone test a starter?
We’ll check your alternator, starter, battery and more.
What does a bad starter sound like?
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What are the signs of a bad starter?
Can you start a car without a starter?
- Engine won’t turn over. The most common indicator that a problem with your starter exists is when you turn your key and nothing happens.
- Starter engages but doesn’t spin the motor.
- Grinding noise when trying to start the motor.
- Smell or see smoke when starting the motor.
How do you tell if it’s your starter or battery?
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