Starter Repair & Replacement in Gilbert, AZ

When your day is just getting started and you’re preparing yourself for the busy morning commute, one of the last things you want to deal with is car starter problems. If you are having trouble getting your car to start no matter how many times you jiggle the keys, it may be time to consult the professionals. Let’s take a look at what makes a starter so important and how you can get your car back on the road.

What Is a Starter?

This compact motor holds the power to start your car’s engine, but it can also prevent it from turning over. The starter is an often underrated piece of machinery, but it is a necessary and complex component of your vehicle that requires professional maintenance and care. The starter is responsible for completing the circuit that connects your battery, ignition switch, and other important parts to get your engine working. Although starters are fairly durable pieces of hardware, complications can occur without proper care and consideration.

Identifying Starter Issues

There are a few different problems that could prevent your car from starting other than a failed starter. You may suspect a dead or weak battery, and a good way to check is to try turning on your headlights or interior lights. If you still have juice, you will need to check the starter.

If the problem remains after checking the battery and looking for any faulty circuitry, it may be time for a starter replacement. Here are a few specific starter complications to look out for:

• Slow starts: If your car still cranks but it takes noticeably more time, this can indicate starter issues. In this case, be wary of driving on a car with intermittent starting. Your car may start at one location, but you don’t want to end up stranded with a dead starter at the next location.
• Grinding/whining sound: A nasty grinding or whining noise coming from your starter is called “freewheeling,” and it’s caused by worn down gears in the mechanism which prevent it from working properly.
• Clicking sound: Another unpleasant sound you may hear is a simple one: a click. When you turn the key to start your car, if all you hear is a clicking sound with no life to the engine, this is a telltale sign of starter trouble.

Repairing or Replacing a Starter

Getting your starter repaired or replaced may feel overwhelming at first, but if you make sure to hire trustworthy, experienced professionals, you can be back on road in no time. After your mechanic has ruled out any other complications or faulty parts, they can safely remove your starter for repair. Your mechanic will disconnect the battery and any wiring from the starter and unbolt the part. Then, support brackets and bolts are removed and the starter can be safely extracted from the car. Once the new piece is in place, the battery and wiring can be reconnected and the bolts tightened. In some vehicles, the mechanic may have to remove additional parts to safely remove the starter.