The starter is a small motor powered by your car’s battery, which is essential for starting the engine. But if you have a bad starter, your vehicle won’t start.
The good news?
There are temporary solutions to starting a car with a bad starter, allowing you to drive it to a repair shop.
Read on as we explain how to start a car with a bad starter. We’ll also help you identify the symptoms of a failing starter so you’re not left stranded unexpectedly.
This Article Contains:
- How to Start a Car with a Bad Starter: 6 Easy Methods
- 5 Symptoms of a Bad Starter You Shouldn’t Ignore
- What Causes the Starter to Go Bad?
- 3 FAQs about Bad Starters
How to Start a Car with a Bad Starter: 6 Easy Methods
Here are a few temporary fixes that could help you start a car with a faulty starter motor:
1. Check the Battery Connections
Begin by looking for bad battery connections. The starter will not receive enough power to crank the engine correctly if they are loose, corroded, or dirty.
Inspect the battery’s negative cable, which connects to the vehicle’s metal body or engine block for grounding. Follow the cable to where it connects with the car and check for corrosion.
If you find any, use a wrench to disconnect the cable and clean it with a wire brush. After cleaning, securely reconnect the cable and try starting the car again.
2. Tap the Starter
Over time, the brushes inside the starter motor may wear down, or the springs holding them against the armature (spinning part) weaken. When this happens, the brushes may lose contact with the armature, which prevents the starter from working and stops your car from starting.
A temporary fix is to gently tap the starter’s outer casing with a hammer or a wooden stick. This helps re-establish contact between the brushes and the armature.
3. Bypass the Starter Relay
To bypass the faulty relay in a car with a bad starter, you‘ll need to find the starter’s positive terminal and connect it to the solenoid terminal using an insulated screwdriver or wire. This directs power straight to the starter solenoid, bypassing the relay and causing the engine to start.
4. Check the Solenoid Wires (If You Have an External Solenoid)
The starter solenoid is a switch that takes a small current from the ignition and turns it into a larger current to power the starter. Some cars have solenoids built into the starter, while others have an external one connected by a wire.
If your vehicle has an external solenoid, check if the wire is loose or the connection is dirty. Secure the connection and clean the area with a wire brush if necessary. Fixing this may resolve your car’s starting problem.
5. Push Start Your Car (Only for Manual Transmission Vehicles)
To push-start a car, you’ll need to turn the ignition key (ignition switch) to the “ON” position, press the clutch, and shift into second gear. Ask your friends to push the vehicle up to a speed of 8 to 10 mph (13 to 16 km/h).
Once you’ve gained enough speed, quickly release the clutch to start the engine. After it starts, press the clutch again and give it gas to keep the engine running. This method may help you start your car if it has a starter problem or a weak battery.
6. Jump-Start the Car
If none of the methods suggested above work, this could mean that the issue is with your car’s battery rather than the starter.
A weak or low-voltage battery won’t supply the starter with enough power to engage and turn the engine over. In such cases, jump-starting the car with a good battery can provide the necessary power to start the engine.
To jump-start a car that won’t start, you’ll need a working car, some jumper cables, and safety gloves. You’ll also have to ensure both batteries are in good condition (no leaks or corrosion) and turn off all car electronics. Then:
- Connect the red color cable to the positive terminal of your car’s battery and attach the other end to the positive terminal of the working car’s battery.
- Attach the black color cable to the negative terminal of the working car’s battery and connect its other end to the unpainted metal surface on your vehicle for grounding (like a bolt on the engine block).
- Double-check the positive and negative terminal connections to avoid damaging both vehicles.
Once everything is properly connected, start the working car and let it run for a few minutes.
After that, try starting your vehicle. If it works, remove the cables in reverse order and take your car to a mechanic for a battery check and replacement.
NOTE: If you have a bad alternator, your car battery may not be able to hold its charge for long after jump-starting. So, drive to your nearest auto repair shop for an alternator replacement.
Now that you know how to start a car with a bad starter, let’s look at the signs that indicate it’s failing.
5 Symptoms of a Bad Starter You Shouldn’t Ignore
Some warning signs that point to a bad starter motor are:
- Dashboard lights come on, but the engine won’t start
- Engine makes clicking noises when you turn the ignition key or press the start button
- Slow engine cranks as the starter struggles to turn it over
- Smoke emerges from under the hood due to an electrical issue or a short circuit
- Oil-soaked starter
But why do they fail?
Find out next.
What Causes the Starter to Go Bad?
Several issues can cause your car starter to fail. These include:
- Loose wiring: If the starter’s wiring is loose, it can interrupt the connection between your starter and car battery, causing a starting problem.
- Corroded starter connections: Corrosion can increase resistance in the starter’s electrical circuit, disrupting power flow and leading to weak or no engine crank.
- Damaged solenoid: A malfunctioning starter solenoid will block the battery’s power from reaching the starter motor. As a result, your car won’t start.
- Bad starter relay: A faulty relay can prevent the engine from turning over or cause the starter to crank continuously.
- Worn-out parts: A bad starter relay, damaged battery cable, failing starter gear, or a blown fuse in the fuse box can cause the starter motor to stop working.
- Battery corrosion: Batteries corrode due to overheating or with age. A bad battery with corroded terminals can cause electrical issues, which may indirectly affect the starter system.
- Oil leaks: If your car’s engine oil leaks due to wear and tear (especially in older vehicles), it can lead to starter failure.
Have more starter-related queries?
Keep reading.
3 FAQs about Bad Starters
Here’s some additional information on starters you may find helpful:
1. How Long Does a Starter Last?
A starter typically lasts between 100,000 to 200,000 miles or 80,000 to 100,000 starts.
However, factors such as your driving habits and the conditions in which the vehicle is used can impact the starter’s lifespan.
Another factor affecting your starter’s lifespan is the engine’s design. For example, start-stop systems in modern engines increase starter usage, leading to premature wear of the starter solenoid.
2. Is It Safe to Drive a Car with a Bad Starter?
No, driving with a bad starter is risky. If the starter fails while you’re parked or on the road, the engine won’t start, leaving you stuck in inconvenient or dangerous locations.
What’s more?
It can damage other components, such as the starter gear and flywheel, or cause an electrical issue, resulting in costly engine repair.
3. How Much Does It Cost to Replace a Failing Starter?
Replacing a bad starter motor costs between $200 and $1,450. Unlike a brake repair, this is a complex job, so labor charges take up a large portion of the price.
Here’s the cost breakdown:
- New starter: $50 to $350
- Labor: $150 to $1,100
NOTE: Car insurance doesn’t typically cover engine repair or starter replacement unless damage is caused by an accident. So, it’s best to consult with your car insurance provider.
Ensure Smooth Starts with AutoNation Mobile Service
While there are many ways to start a car with a bad starter, these are only short-term fixes. If you’re facing a starter system problem, drive straight to an auto shop to replace the faulty starter motor.
And if you don’t want to risk driving with a bad starter, let AutoNation Mobile Service mechanics come to you and replace the failing car starter right from your driveway.
We’re a mobile auto repair solution offering online bookings and upfront pricing. We also provide a 12-month, 12,000-mile warranty on all services, including brake repair, fuel pump or spark plug replacement, tire rotation, and more.
Contact us today for hassle-free car repairs.