Your car, truck, or utility vehicle relies on a series of events in order to get started. One of those events is a starter motor that starts the engine. The starter motor generally lasts about 100,000 miles. After this time, RI Automotive advises that you may end up with one or more of the problems listed below. If you suspect that your starter is going bad, bring your vehicle to our shop right away to avoid getting stranded.
Strange Pre-Ignition Noises
One sign that the starter is having problems is if it makes strange sounds when you turn the ignition key you press the start button. You will hear these noises before the engine ignites. The most common sound is clicking, but you may also hear humming or whirring. These are all indications that the starter motor is malfunctioning and having problems getting the engine started.
An Engine That Won’t Start
If the starter motor is unable to get the engine started, your vehicle will not ignite no matter how hard you try. Again, as we mentioned above, the starter motor is one of the things that interacts with the engine when you fire it up. A malfunctioning starter can directly affect the engine’s ability to start. It can prevent the engine from starting even though there is nothing else wrong.
Working Automobile Lights
In fact, the starter motor can prevent the engine from starting yet your vehicle’s lights will work. You will be able to turn on the headlights, see the taillights, the brake lights, and the interior lights. All will illuminate because the battery and alternator are not the problem. They are producing electricity. The reason why your engine won’t start is that the starter has gone bad.
Smoke and Burning Smells
Despite your best efforts, if you keep trying to start your automobile, the only thing you will accomplish is overheating the starter motor. When this happens, you will see and smell smoke coming from the engine. Don’t continue in your efforts to start your automobile.
A Starter Soaked in Oil
Finally, one reason why a starter might die is that it is soaked in oil. If this is the case, you likely have a cracked head gasket that is leaking oil over the starter. Unfortunately, this can be an extremely expensive and difficult automotive repair.
Call RI Automotive in Tampa, FL, today to schedule an appointment for your automobile if you believe the starter is going bad.
