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Regardless of the year, make, or model, all cars are manufactured with several moving parts that must work together to allow for the proper function of the car. This includes a starter motor. Over time, vehicles may experience issues leading to a broken starter motor. The starter motor is an extremely important part of a car's starter system, so you will want to know what to do if this part breaks.

What is a starter motor?

Every car that comes across the production line has a starter motor in it. The starter, powered by the battery, is a small motor that allows the engine to run. The starter has a relay between the battery and the starter motor itself that is responsible for transmitting power from the battery to the starter.

When the starter motor or starter relay experiences damage, malfunction, or failure, you will not be able to start your car leaving you stranded where your vehicle is parked.

Starter motor problems can occur for a number of reasons including:

• Dirty connections from the starter relay to the starter motor
• Corrosion to the battery
• Loose wiring connections
• Damaged or worn down parts within the starter system
• Leaking oil
• A failed fuse or relay

Warning signs of a broken starter motor

Because the starter motor plays such a critical role in your car starting as you turn the ignition when this part fails or breaks you will notice pretty quickly. The following are common warning signs of impending, or already failed, starter motor failure in a car:

• Abnormal noises: When you turn the key to start your vehicle, the engine should immediately start allowing your vehicle to run. When the starter motor fails, you will hear a clicking noise when you turn the key to start the engine. However, it is important to note that a starter motor can die without making clicking sounds.
• The lights turn on but the vehicle does not start: Turning the key to ignite the air/fuel mixture within the combustion chamber not only allows the engine to start, but it sends a signal to the lights on your vehicle’s dashboard, radio, headlights, and other areas to turn on as well. If you turn the key and all lights turn on as intended but the engine does not start, the starter is likely the culprit.
• Smoke is being emitted from your vehicle: The starter motor is a part of an intricate electrical system in your car that requires a fuse or relay to transmit power to it. When you make multiple attempts to start your vehicle with no success, the relay or fuse begins to overheat resulting in smoke coming from beneath the hood. If you experience smoke being emitted from your vehicle, immediately stop attempting to start your vehicle.
• Oil has leaked onto the starter motor: Due to the location of the starter motor, an oil leak will inevitably cause oil to drench the starter resulting in failure. It is important that you keep an eye out for any signs of a small engine oil leak as it can become a large problem very quickly leaving the starter motor to be completely drenched.
• Your car will not start: Quite possibly the most obvious sign of a failed starter motor, the engine will not start no matter how many attempts are made. When this occurs, you will need to have your vehicle towed to a trusted facility for repairs.

Your Green Bay Experts Will Help

At Huron Automotive, we are conveniently located in Green Bay, WI to better serve our customers.  Founded in 2010, the staff at Huron Automotive has been committed to providing exceptional customer service since day one!

We offer many amenities for our customers including:

• A comfortable waiting area
• Free WiFi
• Complimentary freshly brewed coffee and bottled water
• Local shuttle services
• 24-hour vehicle drop service

Our ASE Certified mechanics are highly skilled in providing service or repair work for the many different systems that make up your vehicle as well as wheel and tire services. Give us a call today to answer your questions and to schedule a convenient appointment.