6 Symptoms of a Bad Starter
The starter in your vehicle is a crucial part of the ignition system. As its name indicates, the starter in your Volkswagen is responsible for starting the engine. In order for it to start, the engine has to be turning quickly so that it can create combustion. The starter is an electric motor that turns the engine over when you turn the key or push the ignition button. When you do this, a relay connects a strong electric current between the battery and starter solenoid. That allows the pinion gear of the starter to connect with the flywheel, which is connected to the crankshaft. When the starter motor turns the flywheel, the rest of the engine will rotate so that combustion takes place in the cylinders and the engine runs on its own.
If the starter is damaged in any way, the chances of the engine turning over and starting aren't good. But there are other things that could cause this problem as well, from a dead battery to a bad alternator. How do you know if the starter is to blame? These symptoms can give you a good idea, but ultimately it's best to have the experts take a look.
6. Your Engine Doesn't Turn Over, But Electrical Accessories Work
In general, if your engine is turning over but still not starting, it's not likely to be a problem with the starter. The noise that you hear when your engine cranks means that the starter is doing its job, but there's a problem elsewhere. But if you're met with no noise, it may be that the starter solenoid or relay is broken, and is not sending the current through. There are many reasons that an engine might not turn over, and not all of them are related to the starter. A dead battery, for example, could also cause the car not to start. To make sure that the battery isn't the issue, turn on electric systems in your vehicle like the radio, the headlights, the A/C. If they're weak or don't turn on at all, or if they dim when you turn the key, the problem may be with the battery and not the starter.
5. You Hear a Whirring, Grinding, or Squealing Sound from the Engine
If you hear either a gentle whirring or an irritating screeching sound coming from under the hood when you turn the key, it's likely that a bad solenoid is causing freewheeling. A freewheeling starter motor is one where the pinion gear isn't able to connect to the flywheel. This means that the pinion gear is spinning (producing that whirring sound), but the lack of connection keeps the engine from doing the same. And if you hear a grinding noise, it may be that the gear is making some connection to the flywheel, but not the right kind of connection.
4. You Hear a Clicking Noise
This is a tricky one, because a clicking noise might not necessarily be caused by a bad starter. In fact, clicking when you turn the ignition key is often caused by loose battery terminals or a weak battery. However, it could also be due to the starter relay or solenoid not getting enough power. If the starter relay has been damaged and isn't sending enough current, the sound it makes can be just like the clicking you hear from a dead battery.
3. You See Smoke
Smoke coming from your vehicle is never a good sign. In order to turn your engine as quickly as it does, the starter needs to use a good amount of electricity. Still, it has a limit as to how much it can handle, and going over that limit could cause the part to start smoking. Though it could be caused by an electrical short in the starter, it's also possible for this to happen when using the starter too long. Instead of constantly cranking the engine, which could cause the starter to start smoking, wait a few minutes between tries.
2. The Starter Won't Stop
The starter is supposed to run only when you're starting the engine. It's right there in the name, after all. Once the engine is started and you stop turning the key or pressing the button, the starter will disengage from the flywheel until you next turn on your vehicle. Or that's how it's meant to be, anyway. While most of the starter problems we've discussed lead to a starter that won't activate, the opposite can also happen. If a starter stays on, the entire starter and the flywheel could suffer massive damage and need to be replaced. If this happens to you, turn off your car immediately and have it towed to an authorized service center.
1. Tapping the Starter Helps
This last one is just as much a tip as it is a symptom. If you suspect that the starter is at fault, grab a hammer (or another heavy object made of metal, like the tire iron in your trunk or a quality wrench). Open the hood and locate the starter--and make sure that it's actually the starter! Then, tap the starter with the hammer or other tool. It's important that you tap relatively gently, rather than whacking the starter. Hitting it too hard could damage the starter and make your current problem even worse.
There are a few important things to note. The first is that not all starter problems can be resolved by using this technique. If you hit the starter and nothing happens, it could still be a starter problem. The second thing to note is that this is just a temporary fix. If it works, you should take the opportunity to drive to the dealership to get the starter tested and replaced if necessary.