The most common bad starter symptoms are a single click with no cranking, a grinding noise when starting, a whirring or spinning sound without the engine turning, slow cranking with a battery that tests good, and starting problems that come and go. Smoke or a burning smell after repeated attempts means the starter is overheating. Because a weak battery causes similar symptoms, test the battery first.
Symptoms and what they mean
| Symptom | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Single click, no crank | Solenoid engages but the motor does not turn, or a bad connection |
| No click at all | Solenoid, relay, ignition switch or a neutral safety or clutch switch |
| Grinding | Starter drive gear or worn teeth on the flywheel or flexplate |
| Whirring, engine does not turn | Starter drive not engaging the flywheel |
| Slow crank with a good battery | Worn starter motor or high resistance in the cables |
| Works sometimes | Dead spot in the motor or a failing solenoid contact |
Bad starter or bad battery?
- Battery: rapid clicking, dim or flickering lights, starts with a jump; see car won’t start, just clicks.
- Starter: single click or no click with bright lights, no change with a jump, a battery that passes a load test.
Bad starter with no clicking
No click at all can be the starter solenoid, but check the parts that feed it first: the starter relay and fuse, the ignition switch, and the neutral safety switch or transmission range sensor on automatics. On manuals, the clutch pedal switch must close before the starter will engage; see signs of a bad clutch.
Starter noise while driving
A starter that keeps spinning or grinding after the engine starts has a stuck solenoid or a drive that will not retract. Shut the engine off and have it checked, because it can damage the flywheel.
Push starting
A manual car with a failed starter can sometimes be push-started; automatics cannot be. This is a way to get the car to a repair, not a fix.
Testing the starter
- Load-test the battery and clean the terminals.
- Measure voltage at the starter while cranking; a big drop from the battery reading points to cables or grounds.
- Check for voltage at the solenoid trigger wire when the key is turned.
- Bench-test the starter if it is removed.
After a starter replacement
If grinding continues, inspect the flywheel or flexplate teeth. Missing teeth mean the starter will keep failing to engage at that spot. If the engine itself will not turn, see seized engine and our replacement engines.
More guides: bad ground symptoms · alternator or battery? · bad flex plate symptoms.
Trouble codes: P0615 Starter Relay Circuit · P0616 Starter Relay Circuit Low · P0617 Starter Relay Circuit High · all OBD2 codes.
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