Many starting issues can be fixed with starter motor repair without even requiring a new starter to be installed. There are two options available to you when trying to fix a poor starter. You have the option of doing everything yourself or taking your automobile to a shop to get the starting motor fixed. Without expert assistance, you can fix the starter with the help of this chapter. Find out how to fix the starter solenoid, motor, and other starter assembly components.
Starter Motor Problems That Can Be Fixed
If you have any of the following issues, you can fix them rather than replacing the starter:
- A blocked pinion gear caused the starter motor to jam.
- A malfunctioning armature or field coil is the cause of the starter motor’s inability to start.
- Noise from the starter motor caused by old brushes or a bent shaft drive
- Reduced starting motor rpm due to a dead battery or damaged connections
- Due to a malfunctioning solenoid, the starter motor is not spinning.
How to Fix a Starter Motor on a Car
Disassembling the assembly and cleaning the components are the primary steps in the starter motor repair procedure. Additionally, you might need to repair the starter by replacing any defective parts. The tools you’ll need to perform the repairs must be examined before we can examine the process itself.
Things needed
- Wrench and socket set, Pliers, and screwdrivers
- Rags, wire brush, and sandpaper or emery cloth
- Degreaser and contact cleaner
- Starter motor repair kit
- High heat grease
- A flat working surface or bench
- Jack and Jack stands if necessary, depending on your type of car
You are now prepared to begin the starter motor repair procedure with the aforementioned equipment and supplies. Here’s how to repair a starter motor without having to buy a new one. Be careful! Before beginning any repairs or working on any electrical component beneath the hood, disconnect the battery.
Starter Motor Repair Procedures
Step 1: Unplug the battery
To start, unplug the battery to avoid mishaps. Disconnect the ground or negative connection first to prevent shorting.
Step 2: Take out the motor starter
Find the assembly for the starter motor repair. It’s at different spots in different automobiles. The motor’s degree of difficulty to remove varies as well. In certain cars, it’s quite simple. Usually, all you have to do is remove and loosen the mounting bolts. Remove the cables that supply electricity to the assembly first, then unscrew and remove the assembly.
Step 3: Examine the battery and starter motor wiring.
Wiring faults can be the cause of certain starting problems. Start by looking for rust or debris on the cables and wire connectors. Clean them and replace them if needed. Additionally, make sure the battery is in good condition and producing 12 volts. To check the battery voltage, use the multimeter that is switched to measure voltage. As an alternative, you can check the functionality of your starter by using a battery from another vehicle.
Step 3.1: Take the starter apart.
Using the previously specified tools, disassemble the starter on a bench or level surface. The first step in disassembling the starter is to take out the bolts or screws holding the case together. It should be easy to disassemble the assembly. The starter can then be disassembled by simply removing clips and other fasteners.
Step 4: Examine and Clean the Starter Parts
Examine each component of the starter motor for corrosion, dirt, and damage. Grease-containing parts should be sprayed with degreaser and then cleaned using a cloth. Use contact cleaner to get rid of dirt and grime from electrical parts like armatures. Clean the commutator, especially the areas between the plates, with sandpaper and a toothbrush. Additionally, clean the solenoid housings and starter motor.
Examine the coils for any damage, such as broken or stripped insulation. The pinion gear is another component that has to be inspected. These components are all interchangeable. Consider buying new ones if you discover that they are defective. Even better, carry a starter motor repair kit with you.
One part that must be replaced during the starter motor repair is the brushes. If necessary, replace them after checking for water. For the starter motor to operate effectively, make sure you install it correctly. In addition to the worn parts issue, look for broken teeth in the flywheel ring gear. To spin a worn flywheel gear, you don’t want to repair the starter motor and then install the fixed unit. You will continue to have trouble starting.
Step 5: Test the Starter Armature and Field Coil.
How a starter armature is tested
To measure the least amount of resistance, or ohms, set the multimeter. In turn, attach one probe to each of the other commutator plates and the shaft. The commutator is either shorted, or there shouldn’t be any continuity. Additionally, measure the resistance between each commutator plate. The resistance ought to be in line with the manufacturer’s requirements. As an alternative, look for sharp variations in the resistance that would point to shorting.
To test starting field coils
Attach the probes of the multimeter to either end of the coil and measure the resistance. Check for shorting using the ohms recommended by the manufacturer, and replace the coils if necessary. A “too low resistance shorting,” or damaged wire, is indicated by an open circuit. The coil is still defective if the resistance is “too high.” Replace it.
Step 6: Assemble the starter and replace any damaged parts.
Before putting the starter together, replace all the damaged components. Grease all moving parts and mechanisms during assembly. Use premium oil that won’t dry out too soon and interfere with the starter motor’s ability to operate shortly after repair. Installing the assembly, being careful to put it in the proper orientation and location, completes the starter motor repair process.
How Much Does a Starter Motor Repair Cost?
Numerous factors, including your location and the type of car you drive, affect the cost of starting motor repair. You can find local repair firms and potentially their prices by typing in “starter motor repair near me.” However, as the expenses also depend on the quantity and kind of starter components that need to be replaced, that might not give the precise costs.
Other parts of the beginning system, like the starter switch, starter relay, and connections, can occasionally be the issue rather than the starter itself. Repairing a starter motor typically costs between $100 and $200. The make, model, and defective parts of your car will determine this. You will simply need a starter motor repair kit, which costs between $30 and $50, if you choose to handle the repairs yourself.
In conclusion
You have the option to replace or repair your starter when it exhibits wear or damage. There are various benefits to repairing a damaged starter motor. First of all, it saves you money on replacements, which in certain cars might cost several hundred dollars. Secondly, it prolongs the life of the starter motor repair in situations when a replacement is not easily accessible. However, only certain beginning issues can be fixed; others cannot. There are situations where replacing the complete assembly is the sole option.
