You turn the key to start your vehicle and nothing happens... or you just hear a clicking sound... or even worse you hear a grinding noise while cranking the engine. You have a starter problem and may need a starter motor replacement.

Your vehicle electrical system powers and controls many features which are important to your comfort and safety. The electrical system has three major components: alternator, battery, and starter motor. The starter motor uses power from the battery to start the engine. Without a functioning starter your vehicle won't get far! But there are many components in the starting system in addition to the starter motor.

The starting system includes the battery, ignition switch, starter solenoid, starter relay, starter motor, and starter ring gear. Using energy from the battery, the starter turns the engine to get it running. A starting problem can range from a defective ignition switch, defective starter motor, bad starter solenoid or relay, need a starter cable replacement, a wiring problem, or just a dirty battery connection.

Typical starter services:

  • Starter draw test
  • Starter voltage test
  • Starter cable replacement
  • Starter solenoid replacement

Common Starter Problem Causes

Battery Cables & Terminals

Battery terminal cleaning is a common neglected service that leads to starting problems. Corroded or dirty battery terminals cause both starting problems and battery charging problems. Battery terminals and cables are easily cleaned or replaced and are an inexpensive starting problem repair.

Cold Weather

Cranking the engine in extreme cold temperatures is very hard on the starter motor. The motor oil gets very thick in winter and the engine is very difficult to turn and start. Think of stirring a cup of water compared to stirring a cup of thick honey. The thicker honey needs much more effort to stir! Getting a winter oil change service with thinner oil will make your starter motor last much longer.

Age

Starter motors wear out with use and eventually will need to be replaced. The vehicle age and type of driving it gets has a large affect on how long the starter motor replacement. Repeated shorts trips where the vehicle is started and driven a short distance will quickly wear out a starter motor.

Why Us?

  • Accurate starting system test and diagnosis (find and confirm the correct problem)
  • Quality 'No More Trouble' repair
  • ASE Certified Auto Repair Technicians
  • 24 month / 24k mile guarantee*

*For most vehicles

Our ASE Certified auto repair technicians can quickly replace your starter with a new, rebuilt or remanufactured, or original equipment OEM starter. We would be happy to provide a starter replacement price or starter repair estimate. Visit our shop, phone, or schedule an appointment today. Contact us at (734) 913-6272.