Smart Shoppers Stay Informed
Vehicles have become a significant staple in the way we choose to travel. Millions of cars and trucks cross our nation’s roads, and even more when you consider overseas. Although this mode of transportation is becoming more popular each year, it would be difficult to assume that every car owner knows the ins and outs of their purchase.
Here at Chevy of Homewood, we push all our customers to be fully informed on recognizing when their vehicle is not performing ideally. In this article, we plan to share the tell-tale signs of a vehicle’s starter beginning to fail. Please continue reading, as this information may save you money in repairs or towing expenses.
What is a Starter?
It would be wise to explain what a starter is and its job to understand what we are working with. A starter is a small motor powered by the vehicle’s battery that gets your engine running. What makes the starter so important is if this part is broken or out of place, your car will not start and may require a tow.
Now that we are informed on a starter let us delve into how to spot whether your starter is beginning to fail.
Common Signs Your Starter is Failing
1. Clicking Sound
One of the most common symptoms of a starter beginning to fail is audible. When you attempt to start your vehicle, if the starter is beginning to fail, you may hear clicking as the engine tries to turn over. Be advised that the starter may only sometimes make this Sound, and if you were able to start the car successfully, bring it to the closest mechanic, as you may not be so lucky the next time.
2. Smoke Emitting From The Car
Another common symptom of a starter failure is smoke emitting from your vehicle. Since the starter is a part of the electrical system, it can be subject to blown fuses or wire shorts. When this happens, and you keep attempting to turn the key, the starter overheats and results in smoke. In this result, call for assistance instead of continuous attempts to start the engine.
3. The Vehicle’s Lights Are Working But No Engine Action
A starter issue can easily be spotted by checking whether the lights on the vehicle are working. If the battery were the issue, the electrical systems would not be operational.
4. Engine Won’t Crank
If your vehicle has trouble revving up, it is likely a starter failure. You can safely attempt to jumpstart the car to bypass a tow truck, but it should be brought for repairs after starting. If the vehicle does not start, contact roadside assistance.
5. Oil Soaked Starter
Another issue that may be less common is an oil-soaked starter. Depending on your vehicle, the starter’s location may be close to the oil reservoir. If you pop the hood and see your starter is drenched in oil, you have a more significant issue with an oil leak. Keep a close eye on the leak, as it can continue to progress quickly.
The More You Know!
From all of us at Chevy of Homewood, we hope this article helped assist you with starter issues. Be sure to check our website, however, as we may be running promotions on starter repairs!