How To Start A Car With A Bad Starter: The Ultimate Guide
If you have ever been stuck in a car and you’re wondering how to start a car with a bad starter, then you would see the need to keep your car in top shape!
Having a bad starter can truly be annoying especially if you do not know what to do.
There are quite a number of things you can try to fix and in this guide, we’ll talk about a couple of them.
Keep reading as we take a look at what you can do to make your bad car starter work!
What’s A Car Starter?
Before we dive into the details of starting a car with a bad starter, it’s important to understand what a car starter is.
So, the starter is an electric motor that turns on the engine when you turn the key in the ignition of your car.
It is like the main driver and without it, your car is going nowhere.
It is a crucial component of your car’s engine, and without it, your car would definitely not start.
Battery Or Starter? Is The Battery Of Your Car The Source Of The Problem?
When your car fails to start, it might not actually be what you are thinking.
Sometimes, it’s not actually the starter that’s causing the problem, but the battery.
The car battery provides the electrical power needed to the starter motor, and if the car battery is dead, then the starter won’t work.
Before you try to start a car with a bad starter, ensure that you check the car battery volt first.
How To Know If Your Starter Is Bad
If you’re having trouble starting your car, you should know the signs of a bad starter.
You may have cranked up the engine and received no response.
Let’s see some of the things you should look out for that indicate a bad starter.
What Are The Signs That I Have A Bad Car Starter?
Here are some of the most common signs of a bad car starter:
- No crank no start: The engine doesn’t turn over when the key is turned.
- One-click sound: When you turn the key, you hear a single-click noise, but the engine doesn’t start.
- Slow crank: When starting the engine, it turns over slowly due to poor contact between the brush and the commutator.
- Starter runs but the engine doesn’t: You hear the starter motor running, but the engine doesn’t start.
- Grinding noise while cranking: You hear grinding noise when you turn the key, which could be due to a damaged pinion gear.
Common Reasons For Car Starter Problems
Now that you know the signs of a bad starter, let’s discuss some of the most common reasons for car starter problems. These include:
- Faulty starter motor
- Dead battery
- Bad starter solenoid
- Blown fuse
- Damaged starter relay
How Do I Check For A Blown Fuse Of My Starter?
If you suspect that the starter fuse is blown, you can check it with a multimeter.
First, locate the starter fuse in your car’s fuse box.
Then, use a multimeter to check the continuity of the fuse.
If there is no continuity, the fuse is blown, and you’ll need to replace it.
Equipment Required To Jumpstart / Push Start Your Car
If your car has a dead battery, you’ll need a set of jumper cables to jumpstart your car.
If your car has a bad starter, you’ll need a friend to help you push to start the car.
Sometimes, just some piece of wood or hammer might be all you need it all depends on the cause.
Things You Can Do To Try To Start The Car
Now that you know the common reasons for car starter problems let’s discuss some things you can do to try and start the car:
Jump-Start Your Car
If your car has a dead battery, you can jump-start it using jumper cables. Connect the red cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery and the positive terminal of the donor battery.
Then, connect the black cable to the negative terminal of the donor battery and a metal surface on the dead car.
Finally, start the donor car and let it run for a few minutes before attempting to start the dead car.
Push-Start Your Engine
If your car has a bad starter, you can push-start the car. First, find a friend to help you push the car. Then, put the car in second gear and push the car until it gains some momentum.
Finally, release the clutch and press the accelerator pedal at the same time. If you did it correctly, the engine should turn over and start running. Remember, push-starting works only for manual transmission cars.
Note that push-starting a car is not an ideal solution, as it can be dangerous and cause damage to your car.
You need to be careful while pushing the car, especially if you’re doing it on a hill or a slope. Also, push-starting can put a lot of strain on your car’s transmission, brakes, and other components.
If you must push-start your car, make sure to take the necessary precautions.
Ensure that the parking brake is off, and the ignition is on.
You should also wear comfortable shoes and protective gear. Be sure to communicate with your helper before pushing the car and be prepared to apply the brakes if needed.
Bypass The Starter Solenoid
Another way to bypass a bad starter is to bypass the starter solenoid. The starter solenoid is responsible for sending power to the starter motor.
If the solenoid fails, the starter won’t get the necessary power to start the engine.
To bypass the starter solenoid, you can use a jumper wire to connect the positive battery cable to the solenoid’s positive terminal. This will send power directly to the starter motor, allowing it to turn the engine over.
Push Start Your Manual Transmission
If you have a manual transmission, you can also push start your car with a bad starter. This method requires a bit of coordination between the driver and the person pushing the car.
First, make sure the ignition is in the “on” position and the car is in gear.
Have someone push the car while you release the clutch quickly. If the car has enough momentum, the engine should start.
Be careful when attempting this method, as it can be dangerous if not done correctly.
Examine The Fly Wheel Of The Engine
If you’re still having trouble starting your car with a bad starter, the flywheel may be damaged.
The flywheel is a large, toothed wheel that connects the engine to the transmission. If the teeth on the flywheel are damaged, the starter won’t be able to engage and turn the engine over.
If you suspect that the flywheel is the problem, you’ll need to take your car to a mechanic to have it inspected.
Test Run The Starter Motor
If you suspect that your starter motor is the problem, you can test-run it to see if it’s still functional. To do this, you’ll need to remove the starter from the car and connect it to a battery.
Once you’ve done this, you can apply power to the starter and see if it spins. If the starter doesn’t spin, it’s likely that it’s damaged and will need to be replaced.
Clean The Positive Connection Between The Battery And Starter
If your car has a bad starter, there may be corrosion or dirt on the positive connection between the battery and the starter.
This can cause the starter to receive a weak or intermittent signal, which can prevent it from starting the engine.
To fix this problem, you can clean the positive connection between the battery and the starter with a wire brush and some cleaning solution.
Clean The Negative Connection Between The Battery And the Vehicle
In addition to cleaning the positive connection, it’s also important to clean the negative connection between the battery and the vehicle.
Like the positive connection, corrosion or dirt on the negative connection can cause the starter to receive a weak or intermittent signal. To clean the negative connection, you can use a wire brush and some cleaning solution.
How To Start A Manual Car With A Bad Starter
If you have a manual transmission car with a bad starter, you can still start it by using the “push-start” method. Here’s how:
- Turn the ignition to the “on” position.
- Push the car until it gains some momentum.
- Put the car in first gear.
- Release the clutch pedal quickly while giving the car some gas.
- The engine should start if you’ve gained enough momentum.
First, make sure the car is in neutral and the parking brake is off. Then, have someone push the car to gain some momentum. Once the car is moving, press the clutch pedal down and shift the car into second gear.
Next, turn the ignition key to the “on” position. This will activate the electrical system and allow the spark plugs to fire. As the car is moving, release the clutch pedal quickly. The engine should catch and start running.
Bad Starter FAQs
How Do You Temporarily Start A Car With A Bad Starter?
If you have a bad starter, you can try to jump-start the car or push-start it. These methods can provide a temporary solution to start the car, but it is essential to repair or replace the starter as soon as possible.
What To Do If Starter Is Not Working?
If your starter is not working, check the battery, connections, and fuses first. If those are not the issue, you can try some of the troubleshooting methods listed in this guide. If none of those work, you may need to replace the starter.
Can You Jump-Start A Car With A Bad Starter?
Jump-starting a car with a bad starter is possible, but it is not a guaranteed solution. It may work if the starter has a weak spot that a jump-start can power through, but it is not a reliable long-term solution.
Can I Jump Start My Starter If It’s Bad?
You cannot jump-start a bad starter. If the starter is bad, it needs to be repaired or replaced.
How Do I Get My Starter To Work Again?
If your starter is not working, you can try some of the troubleshooting methods listed in this guide. If those do not work, you may need to replace the starter.
Can You Push Start A Car With A Bad Starter?
Yes, you can push-start a car with a bad starter. This method works best for manual transmission vehicles.
Can You Jumpstart A Car With A Bad Starter?
Jump-starting a car with a bad starter is possible, but it is not a reliable long-term solution. It is best to repair or replace the starter as soon as possible.
How Much Is A Starter For A Car?
The cost of a starter for a car varies depending on the make and model of the vehicle. On average, a starter can cost anywhere from $100 to $400.
How Do I Bypass The Starter Relay?
Bypassing the starter relay is not recommended as it can be dangerous and cause damage to the vehicle. It is best to consult with a professional mechanic for assistance.
How Do I Start My Automatic Car With A Bad Starter?
If your automatic car has a bad starter, you can try some of the troubleshooting methods listed in this guide. If those do not work, it is best to consult with a professional mechanic for assistance.
Wrapping Up
A bad starter can be an annoying problem to deal with, but there are several ways to start your car even if the starter is bad.
In this guide, we’ve covered several methods, including jump-starting, push-starting, and bypassing the starter solenoid. We’ve also discussed how to check for common car starter problems and how to fix them.
With a little bit of knowledge on how to start a car with a bad starter, and some basic tools, you can often get your car running again without having to spend a lot of money.
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