How do I know if my starter is bad?

If you're an avid baker, you know the importance of a healthy sourdough starter. But how can you tell if your starter has gone bad? In this article, we'll explore the signs of a bad starter and provide tips to keep your baking game strong.

Visual Cues of a Bad Starter

The first indication that your starter may be bad is its appearance. A healthy starter should have a bubbly, active surface with a pleasant, yeasty aroma. If your starter looks dull, flat, or has an unpleasant odor, it's a sign that something is amiss. A bad starter may appear discolored, with a gray or pink hue, and have a thin, watery consistency.

Checking the Activity Level

Another way to assess the health of your starter is by observing its activity level. A healthy starter should double or triple in volume within 8-12 hours of being fed. If your starter shows little to no signs of rising or bubbling, it's a clear indication that it's not performing as it should.

Taste and Smell Test

Finally, you can perform a taste and smell test to determine the condition of your starter. A healthy starter should have a slightly sour, yeasty aroma and a tangy, slightly sweet flavor. If your starter smells off, like nail polish remover or rotten fruit, or tastes overly sour or bitter, it's time to discard it and start fresh.

Troubleshooting a Bad Starter

• Check your feeding schedule: Ensure you're feeding your starter at the right intervals, usually every 12-24 hours, depending on your climate and usage.


• Adjust the temperature: Starters thrive in a warm environment, typically between 70-85°F (21-29°C). If your starter is in a cooler spot, it may not be as active.


• Evaluate your ingredients: Make sure you're using high-quality flour and water. Tap water with chlorine or other additives can negatively impact your starter.


• Consider a starter reset: If your starter is beyond saving, it's best to discard it and start over with a new, healthy starter.

By keeping a close eye on the visual, activity, and taste/smell cues of your sourdough starter, you can quickly identify and address any issues before they impact your baking. With a little care and attention, you can maintain a thriving, reliable starter for all your bread-making needs.

What are the symptoms of a bad starter?

Symptoms of a bad starter include a clicking sound or grinding noise when you turn the key, the engine cranking slowly, or a complete no-start with dashboard lights still on. Other signs can be a whirring sound without the engine turning over or visible smoke or a burning smell. 
Common symptoms

• Clicking: A rapid clicking sound often means the starter motor is getting power but can't turn the engine over, which can be caused by a weak battery or a bad starter solenoid. 
• No crank: The car won't start at all, or you'll hear a single click. Dashboard lights and the radio may still work normally, indicating a problem with the starter rather than a dead battery. 
• Slow cranking: The engine cranks slowly or sluggishly, taking longer than usual to start. This can be a sign that the starter motor is failing. 
• Whirring or grinding: A whirring noise without the engine turning over can mean the starter is spinning but not engaging with the engine's flywheel. Grinding sounds can indicate a worn-out starter gear. 
• Smoke or burning smell: This is a more serious sign, potentially caused by a short in the starter motor, especially if you've tried starting the car multiple times. 
• Intermittent starting: The car starts sometimes but not others, and this may be a precursor to complete failure. 

What to check

• Battery connections: Loose or corroded battery terminals can cause a clicking or no-start condition. Try cleaning the terminals. 
• Oil leaks: If the starter motor is covered in oil, it can be damaged. Address the oil leak before it causes further issues. 
• Safety switches: For automatic transmissions, ensure the gear selector is firmly in "Park" or "Neutral". 

How do you tell if it's your starter or your battery?

It is likely a bad starter if you hear one or more clicks when you turn the key but the engine doesn't crank. It is likely a dead battery if there is no sound at all, or a weak battery if the lights dim significantly or the engine cranks slowly. To confirm, try jump-starting the car; if it starts and runs, it's a battery issue, but if it still won't start, it's likely the starter. 
Troubleshooting steps
1. Test the battery first 

• Check the lights: With the key in the "on" position (but not trying to start), turn on your headlights. If they are bright, the battery is likely good. If they are dim or flicker, you have a weak battery. 
• Listen for sounds: While you can't start it, try listening for any sounds when you turn the key. 

This video demonstrates how to check your car battery for signs of a bad battery: 59sBoost-Ed AutomotiveYouTube · Feb 14, 2022
2. If the battery is good, suspect the starter

• Listen to the sound:
  • No sound: This could mean a bad starter or a connection issue.
  • A single click: This often indicates the starter solenoid is engaging but the starter motor is not turning the engine, suggesting a bad starter.
  • Rapid clicks ("click, click, click"): This is a classic sign of a weak or dying battery, but could also be a starter problem. 

This video explains the sounds associated with a bad starter: 57sRobert DIYYouTube · Nov 28, 2020
3. The jump-start test 

• If it starts: It's a strong sign that your battery was the issue. Once the car is running, take it to an auto parts store to have both the battery and alternator tested, as a bad alternator could have caused the battery to die. 
• If it doesn't start: The problem is likely the starter. Even with a jump start, a completely failed starter won't be able to turn the engine over. 

This video explains whether you can jump start a car with a bad starter: 49sMercie J Auto Care, llcYouTube · Oct 14, 2023
4. Advanced test (if comfortable) 

• Tap the starter: While the engine is off, try giving the starter a few firm taps with a lug wrench. If it starts after you tap it, the starter is likely failing. 

This video shows a method to test the starter by tapping it: 59sproclaimliberty2000YouTube · Dec 2, 2016

How do I know my starter needs to be replaced?

You know you might need a new starter if your car makes a clicking or grinding noise when you turn the key, the engine cranks slowly, or the car won't start at all but the dashboard lights still turn on. Other signs include intermittent starting issues, dimming interior lights when starting, or a burning smell from the engine. 
This video shows how to check if your car starter is going bad: 56sproclaimliberty2000YouTube · Dec 2, 2016
Common signs of a bad starter

• Clicking or grinding noise: A single loud click can indicate the starter is trying to engage but can't, while a continuous clicking or grinding sound often points to worn starter gears. 
• Engine cranks slowly: If the engine turns over slowly or seems to struggle, the starter motor may be failing. 
• No crank, but lights are on: If you turn the key and nothing happens except the dashboard lights coming on, the starter is a likely culprit. This is different from a dead battery, which would cause the lights to be very dim or not turn on at all. 
• Intermittent starting: If the car starts sometimes and doesn't start other times, it could be a sign of a failing starter that is beginning to wear out. 
• Burning smell: A burning smell or smoke coming from the engine bay can signal that the starter is overheating and drawing too much power. 
• Dimming interior lights: If your interior lights dim significantly when you attempt to start the car, it can be a sign of a starter drawing too much power from the electrical system. 

You can also watch this video to learn about the symptoms of a bad starter: 58s8020 AutomotiveYouTube · Jan 7, 2024
What to do

• Check the battery first: Some symptoms, like a clicking sound, can also be caused by a weak battery. If the interior lights are bright and the engine won't turn over, it's more likely the starter. 
• Get it inspected: If you suspect your starter is the problem, it's best to have a mechanic inspect it. They can accurately diagnose the issue and replace the starter if needed. 

Can I jump start a car with a bad starter?

No, you cannot jump-start a car with a bad starter, as jump-starting only provides power to the battery and cannot fix a mechanical problem with the starter motor itself. If the starter is faulty, the engine will not crank even with a jump start. However, a jump start can be a temporary workaround if the starter is weak, but it is a sign that the starter needs replacement soon. 
This video explains how to jump-start a car with a bad starter: 53sMercie J Auto Care, llcYouTube · Oct 8, 2025
Why jump-starting won't work

• A jump start supplies the battery with power from another vehicle, which is necessary to crank the engine. 
• If the starter is bad, it means the engine's starter motor is failing and cannot turn the engine over, even if the battery is fully charged. 
• A bad starter can also cause a jump start to fail. 

What to do instead

• Check connections: Ensure the battery terminals and starter connections are clean and tight. 
• Tap the starter: In some cases, you may be able to temporarily free a stuck starter motor by gently tapping it with a hammer. 
• Push-start (manual transmission): If you have a manual transmission, you can try to push-start the car by rolling it and popping the clutch while in first gear. 
• Replace the starter: The only permanent solution for a bad starter is to replace it with a new one. 

This video demonstrates how to test a car starter with a screwdriver: 1mJoe StoeYouTube · Jun 8, 2022