What to Do If Your Car Only Starts When You Hit the Starter

Tapping the starter with a hammer or a wrench can sometimes make your car start because it can loosen up any dirt, corrosion, or worn parts that are preventing the starter from working properly.

If you have ever experienced a situation where your car won't start until someone raps on the starter, you might be wondering what is wrong with your car and whether you need to replace the starter. The starter is a device that helps to start the engine of your car by turning the crankshaft and drawing air and fuel into the cylinders. The starter is powered by the battery and activated by the ignition switch.

However, sometimes the starter can fail or malfunction, causing your car to not start or have difficulty starting. There are many possible reasons why your starter might go bad, such as wear and tear, electrical issues, oil leaks, or mechanical damage. In this article, we will explain why tapping the starter can sometimes make your car start, how to diagnose a bad starter, and how to fix it.

Why Tapping the Starter Works

Tapping the starter with a hammer or a wrench can sometimes make your car start because it can loosen up any dirt, corrosion, or worn parts that are preventing the starter from working properly. For example, if the starter solenoid, which is a relay that sends power to the starter motor, is stuck or has a bad connection, tapping it can make it move or reconnect and allow the current to flow. Similarly, if the starter drive gear, which is a small gear that engages with the flywheel of the engine, is jammed or worn out, tapping it can free it up or align it better and enable it to turn the engine over.

However, tapping the starter is not a permanent solution and it may not work every time. It is only a temporary fix that can help you get your car running until you can get it to a mechanic for proper diagnosis and repair. Tapping the starter too hard or too often can also damage it further and make it harder to fix.

Read Also: Starter Motor: Functions, Parts, Troubleshooting, and Common Issues Explained

How to Diagnose a Bad Starter

One of the most obvious signs of a bad starter is when your car does not start or struggles to start. However, there are other symptoms that can indicate a problem with the starter, such as:

• Clicking noise: If you hear a loud clicking noise when you try to start your car, this could mean that the starter solenoid is faulty or has a bad connection. The solenoid may click but not send enough power to the starter motor to spin the engine over. 
• Slow cranking: If your engine cranks over very slowly or sluggishly when you try to start your car, this could mean that the starter motor is weak or drawing too much current from the battery. The starter motor may not have enough torque to turn the engine over fast enough.
• Grinding noise: If you hear a grinding noise when you try to start your car, this could mean that the starter drive gear is a small gear that engages with the flywheel of the engine, is jammed or worn out, tapping it can free it up or align it better and enable it to turn the engine over.

To diagnose a bad starter, you can perform some simple tests, such as:

• Battery test: Check the battery voltage and condition with a voltmeter or a battery tester. A low or dead battery can prevent the starter from working. The battery should have at least 12.6 volts when fully charged and not drop below 9.6 volts when cranking the engine.
• Starter test: Check the starter voltage and current with a voltmeter and an ammeter. A good starter should receive at least 10 volts from the battery and draw no more than 200 amps from the battery when cranking the engine. If the voltage is too low or the current is too high, the starter may be faulty or have a bad connection.
• Solenoid test: Check the solenoid voltage and resistance with a voltmeter and an ohmmeter. A good solenoid should receive at least 10 volts from the ignition switch and have a resistance of about 0.4 ohms. If the voltage is too low or the resistance is too high, the solenoid may be faulty or have a bad connection.
• Bench test: Remove the starter from the car and connect it to a battery and a jumper wire. If the starter spins and sounds normal, it may be good. If the starter does not spin or makes abnormal noises, it may be bad.

Read Also: Common Car Starting Issues and How to Troubleshoot Them

How to Fix a Bad Starter

If you have diagnosed that your starter is bad, you have two options: repair it or replace it. Repairing a starter can involve cleaning, lubricating, or replacing some of its parts, such as brushes, bearings, solenoid contacts, or drive gear. However, repairing a starter can be challenging and time-consuming, and it may not guarantee a lasting fix.

Replacing a starter can be easier and more reliable, but it can also be more expensive and require some tools and skills. Replacing a starter involves disconnecting the battery, removing any parts that block access to the starter, disconnecting the electrical wires from the starter, removing the mounting bolts from the starter, removing the old starter from its position, installing the new starter in its place, reconnecting the electrical wires to the starter, reinstalling any parts that were removed, and reconnecting the battery.

Before you decide to repair or replace your starter, you should consider some factors, such as:

1. Cost: The cost of repairing or replacing a starter can vary depending on your car model, your location, and your mechanic. Generally, repairing a starter can cost between $50 and $150, while replacing a starter can cost between $200 and $500.
2. Time: The time required to repair or replace a starter can also vary depending on your car model, your location, and your mechanic. Generally, repairing a starter can take between one and three hours, while replacing a starter can take between two and four hours.
3. Warranty: The warranty offered for repairing or replacing a starter can differ depending on your car model, your location, and your mechanic. Generally, repairing a starter can offer a warranty of six months to one year, while replacing a starter can offer a warranty of one to three years.

Read Also: How to Diagnose a Car That Won't Start In 6 Easy Steps

Conclusion

A bad starter can cause your car to not start or have difficulty starting. Tapping the starter can sometimes make your car start by loosening up any dirt, corrosion, or worn parts that are preventing the starter from working properly. However, tapping the starter is not a permanent solution and it may not work every time. It is only a temporary fix that can help you get your car running until you can get it to a mechanic for proper diagnosis and repair.

To diagnose a bad starter, you can perform some simple tests with a voltmeter, an ammeter, an ohmmeter, or a battery tester. To fix a bad starter, you can either repair it or replace it. Repairing a starter can involve cleaning, lubricating, or replacing some of its parts, such as brushes, bearings, solenoid contacts, or drive gear. However, repairing a starter can be challenging and time-consuming, and it may not guarantee a lasting fix. Replacing a starter can be easier and more reliable, but it can also be more expensive and require some tools and skills.

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