How a Car Starter Motor Works: The Complete Guide

Have you ever wondered why your car starts when you put the key in the ignition and turn it? Here's where the car starter motor comes into play! The starter motor is a relatively small part of your car’s engine. Its role is to assist the engine when it starts running by spinning it so that it turns over until it will fire on its own.

How Your Car Starts

When you enter your car and turn the key in the ignition, a signal is sent to the starter motor. The starter motor is powered by electricity from the vehicle's battery to spin the engine's flywheel. It keeps the engine's parts whirring up and down, generating the power required to start running. When the engine starts, it no longer requires the starter motor to run, so the starter motor is cut off.

What to Look for Inside a Car Starter Motor

The car starter motor contains some vital components that help the engine for starting. These components are the armature, the commutator, the brushes, and the solenoid. The armature is a wire coil that turns when the starter motor runs. The commutator, copper contacts that help control the electricity, is also failing. The brushes are small chunks of carbon that make contact with the commutator, bringing the electricity. The starter solenoid is a switch that allows power to flow from the battery to the starter motor.

Problems with Starter Motors

On occasion, starter motors can experience issues that prevent them from functioning properly. One common cause is a dead battery that won’t provide the starter motor with enough electricity to turn over the engine. Another issue might be worn brushes, in which case it could be difficult for the starter motor to access the commutator. If you hear noises you’ve never heard before when you try to start your car (think: grinding or clicking), that could possibly indicate something is wrong with your starter motor.

Looking After Your Car Starter Motor

If you want to ensure the longevity of the starter motor of your car, you have to care for your car. That includes regularly assessing your car’s battery to ensure that it’s charged, and operating as designed. Also take a look at the starter motor itself for any wear and tear, such as frayed or otherwise damaged wires and any loose parts. Good driving habits — not taking a lot of short trips, for example, and turning off other devices when you start your car — can also make your starter motor last longer.

In Summary Basically, the car starter motor is a critical component of the engine in your car. And it helps to explain a bit more about the technology that lets you start your car just by turning a key. Remember to also look after your starter motor with periodic maintenance and sensible driving habits to get the most out of it through the years.