The Difference Between Problems With Car Starters And Bad Batteries

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For many car owners when their vehicle doesn’t start it is a natural assumption to think it is the battery. While batteries can and do go bad and fail to hold a charge, there are other issues that can also cause a car to fail to start. One of the most common is problems with car starters.

Learning how to determine if you vehicles problem with starting is due to some type of car starter problem or if it is a battery issue can help you talk to your mechanic and know what, if anything you can do to get it going.

Listen First

If you try to start your car and you hear a low whining noise but the vehicle can’t or won’t turn over, it may just be a low battery. This is especially true if you have left the lights on or the radio on for prolonged periods of time. You may see lights come on in the dash but they are dim and they quickly fade.

You may also have the vehicle try to turn over but just give that “whir, whir, whir” noise that most people recognize. If you hear and see these issues try using battery cables to jump start your vehicle. Also, as soon as possible check the battery and the alternator to ensure you don’t have problems again.

No Sound

If you don’t hear any sound or just a single click when you turn then it is more likely you will need to look for car starters. However, it could also be a completely dead battery. When car starters fail to work it is often a problem with a solenoid, which is a coil and electromagnet that acts like a switch to provide power to start the engine.

You may also notice rapid clicking when you try to start the vehicle or a grinding or whirring sound after you have started the vehicle. Often this will happen and you will also notice the lights on the dash getting brighter and dimmer, a sure sign of some type of electrical problem.

You can sometimes address solenoid problems in car starters by sharply rapping on the starter with a hammer or similar object. This is not a repair but may allow you to get the vehicle started and get it to a garage for replacement.

Come and see us if your vehicle is difficult to start or fails to start as we can work on all types of car starters to ensure you can always get going. To learn more, connect with us on Facebook at Genin’s AutoCare.

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