Top 5 Symptoms of a Failing Automobile Starter

Engine Cranks Slowly

You start your car by turning the ignition key. And you count on your car to start immediately. But there are also times when the engine cranks sluggishly. What does this mean? It could mean your car’s starter is going bad. The starter does just that, it assists the engine in starting up; so if it isn’t working properly, your car may not start or it won’t be smooth.

Ticking When Turning Key

Have you ever experienced a clicking sound why trying to start a car? That sound may indicate a problem with the starter. When you go to start your car and put the key in the ignition, the starter should communicate a message to fire up. If you instead hear a clicking sound but the engine never turns over, the problem could be with the starter itself.

Common Jump Starting the Vehicle Often

If you find yourself needing to jump-start your car often, that could be a sign that your starter isn’t functioning optimally. Jump starting means hooking a battery from another car up to yours to help your get running. Jump-starting can be useful, but if you find yourself doing it a lot, you might want to get a mechanic to look at your starter.

Grinding Noise While Starting

You may also hear grinding noise when you go to turn on your car. This sound could indicate that the starter is failing. The grind is simply the starter gear not meshing with the flywheel. When you hear this sound, you should take your car to the shop and have your starter looked at immediately to prevent further issues with your vehicle.

Flickering or Dimming of the Dashboard Lights

Another indication that a starter is failing is when dashboard auto starter lights and other electrical components illuminate or dim when you’re attempting to start your car. The starter draws a lot of current from the battery, so if the starter itself is not operating correctly, it can cause the dashboard lights to act kind of wacky. If you notice all of the lights flicker or go dim, then I’d worry that your starter may become difficult to turn your car engine over.

To sum it up, if the engine cranks slowly, you hear a clicking noise when turning the key, jump-start your car frequently, hear a grinding when starting, or see your dashboard lights flicker or dim, those are likely signs your starter is failing. By paying attention to these signs and seeking help early, you can ensure that your car remains in good condition and does not suffer a breakdown. If you have any questions about your car problems or starter, feel free to talk to us at Haochi, we are glad to help!