When you are going on a trip with your family or with friends and your car does not start. This thing makes you frustrated and you definitely want to know how to start a car with a bad starter.
First of all, let’s start by knowing the root cause of your frustration.
A starter is a piece of equipment that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. In simple terms, it is a powerful electric motor that starts the engine.
By reading this post you will get all the ways or tricks. And you easily get to know how to start a car with a bad starter automatic transmission without any difficulty.
4 Common Symptoms of a Bad Starter
Before knowing how to start a bad starter. Read the sign of a bad starter so it is easy to understand to start a car with a screwdriver or in automatic transmission.
– Producing noise:
When the starter motor drive gear is worn or not locking properly, it often makes a grinding noise. This is similar to what you hear if you start the engine and then accidentally flip the ignition switch again.
– Overheated when starting the motor
The starter motor is a mechanical system that runs on electricity. Sometimes the starter motor will overheat due to continuous power being supplied to the starter motor.
And the starter motor will not turn off after the car engine has been started.
– Blinking Light But Not started
If you try to start the engine and find that the dashboard turns on, but the engine won’t start, you may have a problem with the starter motor.
– Batteries Problem
It may appear that your starter system is receiving power, e.g. B. You have lights on your dashboard and your headlights are working, but the engine won’t start.
This can be misleading as it takes a lot of battery power to start the engine. If your car won’t start, you can try starting it with jump leads or a starter pack to see if a low battery is causing your problems.
List of 10 Amazing Way to Start a Car With a Bad Starter
In this post you’ll learn how to easily diagnose if your starter motor is bad. And will know 10 methods on how to start a car with a bad starter automatic transmission.
1. Check Your Connections Properly
Every time you turn the key and your vehicle won’t start, the first thing to do is check your connections.
Sometimes the problem can be a loose battery connection, which means the starter is not getting enough power.
If the connections seem loose, try tightening them with a ratchet and then restart the car to see if it starts.
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2. Bypassing the Relay
Another classic but effective way to start a car with a broken starter is to send 12 volts directly to the solenoid. All you need is a screwdriver or a cable.
Here is the answer to a common question how to start a car with a bad starter with a screwdriver?. Use the wire to connect the starter motor positive terminal to the solenoid valve port.
And ultimately bypassing the relay switch and sending 12 volts directly to the solenoid valve. In some cases, you may be able to touch the two connectors with a long screwdriver.
3. Tap the Starter
Perhaps one of the most antiquated ways to bring a starter back to life is to take advantage of it. In fact, tapping the starter motor with a hammer is very effective and backed by a very scientific reason.
As the starter motor begins to wear out over the years, a dead space is created between the armature and the field coils.
4. Jump Start The Car
Having a quick start tool is great, but can you start a car with a bad starter? Starting the vehicle could likely be the solution, although it is temporary.
Once you have a battery that is working at its best, it will provide enough amps to the starter for your car to start.
5. Check the Engine Grounds
The ground wire to the starter does not come from the battery. The lower part exits the gearbox through the outer frame of the starter motor.
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On the other hand, the gearbox gets its mass from the ground wires that connect the gearbox to the car body. If any of these wires are damaged or rusted, it could be the reason why your car may start.
6. Polish the Corrosion
Corrosion could also be the reason for the obstruction of the electrical current flow. Dirt and grease can collect on the starter motor and the car battery and attack the cable clamps and battery terminals.
In this case, disconnect the battery and clean the affected areas with fine sandpaper. It removes dirt, stains, and rust.
If the corrosion seems stubborn enough, apply a mixture of water and caustic soda. Be careful not to damage any connections.
7. Check the Starter Internal Wire
The positive and negative wires make the starter turn, but what connects it to the transmission ring gear is the solenoid. If you hear your starter spinning freely when you turn it on, the problem is most likely with the solenoid valve.
Find the smallest wire connected to your starter and check the connection for rust and debris.
8. Inspecting the Starter Motor
The position of the starter in your vehicle depends on the model of car. If you don’t know the model of your car, then definitely you need to learn find my Car’s Make and Model guide.
Sometimes you may need to remove the manifold or lift the front of the car or other component to get to the starter.
The auto repair model for your car can guide you to the location of the engine. To raise your car, use jacks to prop it up along with the parking brakes.
Remember to lock the wheels to prevent the car from rolling away.
9. Turn on the Ignition
Before you dive right into your starter repair, you must first understand the source of the problem. Starting your car can tell you a lot about why it won’t start. Start by turning on the ignition.
Beware of telltale noises when starting your vehicle. If the car won’t start and you don’t hear a click, it means the battery is flat, the starter motor is faulty, or there is a faulty circuit.
10. Push Start the Car
If all else fails, and you are lucky enough to own a vehicle with a manual transmission, you can always try to push start it. Simply turn the key to the RUN position.
Then, put the car in first or second gear and hold the clutch while someone else is pushing the vehicle. When the vehicle reaches 5-10mph or so, quickly release the clutch to make the engine rotate and fire.
This is enough to get the car running. Don’t let it stall after that or you’ll have to push start it again.
Know Answers the Top FAQ’s
What are signs of a bad car starter?
There are numerous signs such as grinding of the starter motor, overheating, or slow starting when the battery is fully charged.
Sometimes a burning smell when starting the vehicle and then nothing happens.
What does a bad car starter sound like?
A bad start-up sound can be of different types. In most cases, it will be a frequent successive click or a buzz. Sometimes there is complete silence.
How do you fix a bad car starter?
First, you can properly check and clean all the connecting cables. Verify that the battery is receiving adequate power. Hit it with the humper. And check the cable with a screwdriver.
Can a bad car battery damage a battery charger/starter?
A defective car battery cannot damage a starter, and probably also a charger unless the battery had an internal short circuit, which is rare, and the charger lacked overcharge protection.
A common symptom of a “bad” car battery is that it does not hold a charge
How to start a car with a bad starter with a screwdriver?
Take out the screwdriver and tap the metal end on the post that leads to the starter opposite the one that leads to the battery. Drop the other end of the screwdriver down while touching the metal on the solenoid shaft with both ends of the solenoid.
Can a bad starter kill the battery?
A defective starter motor can damage the battery due to excessive current consumption. This could overheat the battery and warp the plates and damage a battery.
Can a bad starter drain a battery overnight?
A defective starter can drain your battery, but it can be done in minutes, not overnight. A starter only discharges the battery if the starter remains active.
How to test a bad starter?
For testing Bad Starter, you need to check its symptoms. If it produces sound or the starter overheats. Then there is a problem with the starter.
Conclusion
A bad start is frustrating, as it always seems to get worse when you are late for something urgent and need to get started.
And while the ultimate solution is to have it checked out by a mechanic, there are still plenty of tricks you can use to start the vehicle even with a broken starter motor.
From bypassing the relay with a screwdriver to hitting the starter with a hammer, And to push the vehicle to start it for those who drive models with a manual transmission, the possibilities are nearly endless.
