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Various Ways to Start a Car with a Bad Starter

1. Begin with Examining the Connections.
2. Examine the Engine Ground Connection.
3. Examine the Solenoid Cable of the Starter.
4. Check for Corrosion.
5. Softly Thump the Starter with a Hammer.
6. Jump Start the Car.
7. Push the Car to Start.
8. Examine the Flywheel of the Engine.

What are common bad starter symptoms?

1. Something sounds off.
2. You’ve got lights but no action.
3. Your engine won’t crank.
4. Smoke is coming from your car.
5. Oil has soaked the starter.
6. Look under the hood.
7. Tap the starter.
8. Adjust the transmission.

For a qualified mechanic to replace or rebuild your starter, you can expect to pay between $150 and over $1,100. Ask your AutoZone store about tips on replacing a damaged starter and finding the best starter replacement product for your vehicle.

But like many car parts, starters are unpredictable. No two starters will last the same length of time and there is usually no way to know that your starter is dying until the day your car doesn’t start and you have to call for service. They could last as long as 200,000 miles or as little as 30,000.

A starter drive that is on the verge of failure may engage briefly but then slip. When the ignition switch is worn down, there can be a loss of power to the engine because of vibration like hitting a rough patch of road. This loss of power causes the engine of the car to die while driving.

Starters do wear out or fail over time. However, they usually have several warning signs that they’re on the way out, and mechanics may ask you about them if you take your vehicle into an auto repair shop.

When the starter drive gear is worn out or not engaging properly, they will often produce a grinding noise that is similar to the one that is heard if you start your engine and then accidentally hit the starter again. If the grinding symptom is ignored, it may also result in damage to the engine flywheel.