Starter motor
The starter motor of a car is an electric motor that causes the engine to start. The starter motor is also known as starter, self-starter or cranking motor, and it is basically what sets the whole engine system in motion. This electric motor is powered by the car battery. When the starter is switched on, the so-called bendix engages with the teeth of the flywheel. After the teeth of the flywheel are grabbed, the flywheel starts rotating. The crankshaft in the engine then starts to rotate and the engine will start running. The starter is disconnected again as soon as the engine is up and running.
Starter motor broken The starter motor is one of the most heavily used parts of your car. Often the self-starter however is neglected in terms of maintenance, while this part is very wear-sensitive. The starter is for example prone to rust at connection points of the starter or at the battery. A bad connection may occur between the terminals, brushes and/or wires. The bearing may also be worn, which is also applicable to the teeth of the flywheel. A malfunctioning starter can also be caused by an empty or broken battery. You can identify a failing starter motor by one of the following points:
The starter motor is running but the engine does not start; Self-starter does not work; Indefinable sounds; The starter keeps running, even after the engine has started. Before replacing the starter motor, and also if it has already been replaced, we recommend to first check the battery. It is possible that your car battery is empty or also fails. It is important to check the wires of the battery as well. Are the wires still intact? That´s good. Please check however if the brightness of the headlights and the sound of the horn . If the light is not as bright as normal or the sound of the horn is not loud enough, the battery may still not be working properly and needs replacing as well.
Replacing the starter motor If a starter motor fails, the vehicle won't turn over or crank ? and will need replacing. Is the starter of your car defect? You then may choose to replace it yourself, which is a lot cheaper than having it replaced at a garage. A new self-starter easily costs more than £ 100. Of course this depends on the brand and type of car you own. At a garage mechanics easily take up to 1 to 2 hours to replace the starter motor, which can greatly add to the assembly costs.Replacing the starter motor does not necessarily have to be difficult or time-consuming. This often depends on where and how it is assembled. The self-starter is attached to the positive pole of the battery. That is the reason why you always need to disconnect the battery before you remove the cranking motor. Start though with disconnecting the negative pole. The negative pole is connected directly to the car. If you start with the plus pole, a short circuit may be created. With some cars it is best to take the battery out completely in order to better get to the cranking motor. Next, loosen the two bolts that hold the self-starter in place. These are often tightened, so make sure you have the right tools for this. Now you can remove the starter motor and put in the new one. Attention! Consult your vehicle manual for disconnecting the battery. More modern cars may have a specific protocol for disconnecting the battery.
Starter engine overhaul A cheaper way is to purchase a refurbished starter motor and put it in your car. A refurbished starter motor has been completely dismantled, cleaned and defective parts have been replaced with new parts. A refurbished is often just as good as a new one, only a lot cheaper.
Buying a new starter motor Replacing a starter motor yourself is possible if you are a bit handy. It can save you serious money. You can order a new starter at Winparts from as little as £ 59. The costs for getting it fixed at a garage can easily add up to £ 300 to 500. Again, this depends on the make and type of car. It?s easy to find a car specific starter motor from our wide range of starters by using the number plate check or vehicle selector. You can also reach out to us for other components of the engine.
