Starter Service in Garnett, Texas

What is a Starter?

Your starter is a small motor that receives power from your vehicle’s battery. It gets the engine running when you turn the key or press the ignition switch. Between the starter and the battery, there is another component to your ignition system called the starter relay that transmits power. If there is an issue with the relay or starter motor, your vehicle will not start, and you may need a tow.

Diagnosing Starter Issues

There are some things that you may notice that may point to a starter problem, such as:

• Something doesn’t sound right: One of the most recognizable sounds that can clue you into a starter problem is a notable clicking sound when you activate your ignition switch. A starter can die without making a sound, or it may make a grinding or whirring sound.
• Lights, but nothing else: You activate your ignition switch and the dash illuminates, the engine doesn’t power up.
• No crank: If the engine isn’t revving up even after a jump start, you probably need to bring your vehicle into Victory Ford of Garnet for an inspection and diagnostic.
• Smoke from under the hood: Since the starter is part of an electrical system, it is subject to short circuits and blown fuses. When you’ve been trying to get your car started and you’ve been turning it over a lot, it can cause the starter to overheat. Electrical problems may lead to burning smells and possibly smoke coming from under the hood.
• Starter covered in oil: If you drive a RWD vehicle, you can usually find the starter beneath the exhaust manifold on the passenger’s side. If you drive a FWD vehicle, you can usually find the starter above the transmission or under the exhaust manifold, but they can also be found just under the intake manifold on some vehicles. If you look under the hood and your starter is covered in oil, then you have another problem that is contributing to your starter troubles. You’ll need to rectify that situation immediately before it becomes a much more expensive problem.