Starter Issue?

ANSWER : The door lights and radio are on different circuits than the starting system and so faults there would not cause difficulty starting. The flickering of the lights is due to a loose connection somewhere in the circuit and can be diagnosed if you request an electrical component diagnostic. Starters can develop faults in the motor armature leading to intermittent operation (sometimes if you hit the starter with a rubber mallet and then try to start the engine it will work as the armature moves off of the bad spot). If there is no starter operation with the key held in the "start" position, the procedure is to test for power to the starter motor. If there is power (and no voltage drop), but no starter operation, then the starter motor/solenoid assembly is faulty. If there is no power, then the electrical circuit supplying the motor has a fault. That circuit begins at the battery and includes grounds, wiring (some of which is very heavy cabling), fuses, relays, the ignition switch and terminations. Basically, with the key held in the "start" position, the starter is either getting power or it isn’t. With the key in the "start" position, if the starter motor is getting power but it doesn’t work, the starter is condemned and replaced. On the other hand, with the key in the "start" position, if there is no power to the starter, then the circuit is traced until the fault in the circuit is found. In addition to a faulty ignition switch, faults can include high resistances, due to corrosion, wire strand breaks, or loose terminals, which can only be diagnosed using a voltage drop test. If you desire that a certified mechanic resolve this, please simply request a no start diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get the problem diagnosed and repaired for you. Please let us know if you have further concerns or questions as we are always here to help you.

ANSWER : Hi there – I suspect the "bolt" you mention is on the starter solenoid, which has burned contacts. This means that you can measure voltage to the solenoid, but there is not enough current through the solenoid contacts to kick the starter motor. Jumping it adds enough current to overcome the resistance of the burned contacts. I recommend replacing the starter assembly by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

ANSWER : If the starter motor is turning the engine over at adequate RPM, then you definitely do not have a starter motor issue. Even if you had a bad alternator (and the alternator should absolutely be tested, certainly when you install a new battery because you want to be sure the charging function is working properly) that would not prevent the car from starting. So, if the starter is turning the engine over, but the motor won’t run, you have either a fault in the fuel or ignition systems, or the air induction system. To "quickly" determine if it is a fuel system problem, you can try introducing starter fluid into the intake while cranking and if the vehicle starts at that point that would be an indication that you have, at least, inadequate fuel delivery perhaps due to a fuel pump issue. The most efficient approach to getting this resolved is to just simply request a no start diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will make quick work of this for you. At the conclusion of the diagnostic he will let you know of the fault and the cost to repair. Please let us know how we can best assist you to get your vehicle running properly.

ANSWER : Check the wiring on the starter to the ignition switch and see if they are crossed on the solenoid of the starter. If the wiring is crossed, the starter solenoid will stay engaged as the starter is engaged. If the wiring is hooked up normal, then the ignition switch maybe damaged causing the starter to stay engaged. If you need further assistance with your starter staying engaged, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. These issues can be very frustrating. The first thing to consider is that most automotive parts stores that test starters do not "load test" the starters. This means they test the ability of the starter to spin freely when supplied with power. The tests do not measure its ability to actually push over the engine. This will result in false positives. One way to test this is to test the power at the starter when cranking. If the starter has a full 12 volts to the solenoid (which then creates more power), then the starter has failed. If the starter is not receiving full power, there is another electrical issue going on with the circuit. For more help with diagnostics, contact our service department to schedule an appointment.

ANSWER : Hi there. It is possible for the starter to fail. But before replacing the starter, make sure that the battery cables are tight and clean. Then check the starter relay and make sure that the relay is clicking. If the relay is not clicking, then check for power to the relay. If there is power to the relay but there is no click, then the starter relay would need to be replaced. If there is no power to the relay, then either the wiring from the relay to the ignition switch has a break in it or the ignition switch is failing. If there is power to the relay and power to the starter motor, then the starter motor needs replaced. If you need further assistance with your no start issue, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

ANSWER : If the vehicle is not starting, simply request a no start diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get the underlying fault identified and resolved. Basically, the first thing to do is load test the battery. Although I understand your suspicion that the immobilizer may be preventing the car from starting, until an actual diagnostic is performed that is a speculative cause. If the immobilizer system is on, you may see a security warning light. If you see such a light, to temporarily override the immobilizer system, see these instructions. If you do not see a warning light, again I would not assume that the immobilizer is the problem because there are lots of other potential causes for the no start you are describing.

With a fully charged battery and the immobilizer system off, if the starter motor does not operate, either there is no power to the starter motor, hence the starter circuit would have to be diagnosed, or the starter itself is bad and it would be replaced. If there is no starter motor operation at all, that is if there is no starter operation with the key held in the "start" position, the procedure is to test for power and voltage drops to the starter motor/solenoid. If there is no power or a large voltage drop is measured, then the electrical circuit supplying the motor has a fault. That circuit begins at the battery and includes grounds, wiring (some of which is very heavy cabling), fuses, relays, the ignition switch, neutral start switch, and terminations. Basically, with a fully charged battery, and with the key held in the "start" position, the starter is either getting power or it isn’t. With the key in the "start" position, if the starter motor is getting power but the starter doesn’t work, then the starter is condemned and replaced. Note that starters can and sometimes do develop intermittent faults due to bad spots on the armature. The bottom line is if there is battery voltage to the starter (and no excessive voltage drop) and yet the starter doesn’t work, it’s dead. If you desire that a certified mechanic resolve this, please request a no start diagnostic and the responding certified mechanic will get the problem diagnosed and repaired for you. Please let us know if you have further concerns or questions as we are always here to help you.

ANSWER : Hi there. Forcing the starter to engage to make the engine run without the ignition engaging the starter will continue to keep the security on. This is a safety feature that keeps people from stealing your vehicle. I recommend replacing the ignition switch and checking the wires to make sure that they are all tight and clean. If you need further assistance with diagnosing your ignition problem, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.