What are the symptoms of a bad starter?

When a starter goes bad, the engine may fail to turn over, or you may hear a variety of noises and electrical symptoms. In many cases, these signs point to the starter or its associated circuits rather than the engine itself.

Common symptoms to watch for

These signals can indicate a faulty starter, though other components such as the battery, alternator, or wiring can produce similar effects. The list below covers the most frequently reported clues.

• The engine won’t crank or turn over when you turn the key or press the start button.


• A single loud click or a rapid sequence of clicks coming from the engine bay when attempting to start.


• A grinding noise during startup, suggesting the starter gear is not engaging the flywheel properly.


• The starter motor spins (whirs) but the engine does not start or the gears fail to engage.


• Cranking is slow, laborious, or inconsistent, making the engine take longer to start than normal.


• Dim, flickering, or completely dead dashboard lights or headlights when you try to start.


• The starter gets unusually hot, emits a burning smell, or you see smoke near the starter area.


• The starter continues to run after the engine has started, which can indicate a sticking solenoid or electrical fault.


• Starting is intermittent—sometimes it works, other times it won’t, with no clear pattern.

Note: Many of these symptoms overlap with battery or electrical issues. A professional diagnostic will test the starter, battery, cables, and ignition circuitry to determine the exact cause.

Summary

Bottom line: If you notice that your car fails to crank, makes unusual noises during startup, or shows abnormal electrical behavior when attempting to start, the starter is a likely suspect. Have the system evaluated by a qualified technician who can perform a battery load test, voltage drop checks, and a starter diagnostic to confirm the cause and prevent roadside breakdowns.

What can be mistaken for a bad starter?

A bad starter's symptoms can be mistaken for a bad battery, a weak alternator, or other electrical issues like a faulty ignition switch or relays. A weak battery is the most common misdiagnosis, as both can cause slow cranking or a "no-crank" condition.
 
This video explains how to tell if your car's starter is bad: 57sRobert DIYYouTube · Nov 28, 2020
Common issues mistaken for a bad starter

• Bad battery: Both a weak battery and a bad starter can prevent the engine from cranking or cause it to crank slowly. 
  • How to tell the difference: If jump-starting the car successfully starts the engine, the problem is likely with the battery or its connections. If the car still doesn't crank after a jump start, the issue is probably the starter. Dim headlights are also a strong indicator of a weak battery. 
• Faulty ignition switch: A failing ignition switch can prevent the starter from receiving power, leading to a no-crank situation that can be mistaken for a bad starter. 
• Bad alternator: A bad alternator can cause a car to fail to start after a jump, as it won't be able to charge the battery once the engine is running. 
• Loose or corroded wiring and connections: Poor electrical contact due to corrosion or loose wires can prevent the starter from getting enough power to operate correctly, mimicking a bad starter. 
• Blown fuses or bad relays: A bad starter relay or a blown fuse can prevent the starter from receiving power. 
• Engine problems: In some cases, mechanical engine issues can cause a "no-crank" condition that may be confused with a starter problem. 
• Other electrical issues: A failing security or anti-theft system can also prevent the car from starting, similar to a bad starter. 

How can you tell if a starter is bad?

You can tell a starter is bad by observing specific symptoms such as the engine not cranking when the key is turned but the dashboard lights are on, a clicking, grinding, or whirring sound, or slow engine cranking. Intermittent starting problems and smoke coming from the starter area are also strong indicators. 
This video demonstrates the sounds associated with a bad starter: 54s8020 AutomotiveYouTube · Jan 7, 2024
Signs of a bad starter

• Engine won't crank, but lights work: The dashboard and interior lights come on, but the engine does not turn over or make any sound. 
• Clicking or grinding noise: A single "click" when you turn the key often points to a bad starter solenoid. A continuous grinding or whirring sound can mean the starter is not engaging correctly. 
• Slow cranking: The engine turns over very slowly, as if it's struggling, which can be a sign the starter motor is weak. 
• Intermittent problems: The car starts sometimes and other times it doesn't, with the symptoms appearing randomly. 
• Smoke: If you see smoke coming from under the hood while trying to start the car, it's a clear sign of a problem, potentially from an electrical short or overheating starter. 

This video explains how to perform a simple test for a bad starter: 58sproclaimliberty2000YouTube · Dec 2, 2016
What to check first

• Battery: Before assuming it's the starter, make sure your battery is charged and the connections are clean and tight. 
• Jump-starting: If a jump-start gets the car running, it could be a battery issue. However, if jump-starting doesn't work, the starter is more likely the problem. 
• Connections: Check for loose or corroded connections at the battery and the starter itself, as these can cause similar symptoms. 

How to start a car when the starter is bad?

You can try to start a car with a bad starter by push-starting it if it's a manual transmission, or by physically tapping the starter motor while someone tries to turn the key. These are temporary fixes, and if the problem persists, the starter will need to be repaired or replaced by a professional. 
Push-starting a manual car
This method uses the car's own momentum to turn the engine over. 

1. Ensure you have space: Make sure you are in a safe area with enough room to get the car rolling. 
2. Turn the ignition on: Place the key in the "on" position, but do not try to crank it. 
3. Depress the clutch and shift: Press the clutch pedal all the way in and shift the car into second gear. 
4. Get the car moving: Have one or more people push the car, or have it towed, until it reaches a speed of about 5 to 10 mph. 
5. Release the clutch: Once the car has enough momentum, quickly release the clutch pedal to engage the engine. 
6. Press the accelerator: Lightly press the gas pedal and press the clutch back in to prevent stalling. 
7. Secure the car: Shift to neutral, engage the parking brake, and release the clutch and brake pedals. 

This video demonstrates how to push-start a car with a bad starter: 57sDespair RepairYouTube · Sep 7, 2025
Tapping the starter 
This method can sometimes free up a starter that is stuck due to worn-out brushes. 

1. Locate the starter: The starter is a cylindrical component bolted to the transmission. 
2. Access the starter: You may need to get under the car to reach it. 
3. Tap the starter: While someone turns the key to the "start" position, gently tap the starter motor with a hammer or a long stick. Do not hit it forcefully, as you could cause damage. 
4. Attempt to start: The vibration may dislodge the stuck components, allowing the engine to start. This is often a temporary fix and may need to be repeated. 

This video shows how to tap the starter to try and start the car: 59sFixing With PassionYouTube · Jun 20, 2017
Other temporary solutions

• Jump-starting: While a bad starter can prevent a car from starting, a jump-start might provide enough extra power to get a weak starter working again. You can use jumper cables from another vehicle or a jump-start box, but this is not guaranteed to work. 
• Jump the solenoid: With extreme caution, you can attempt to jump-start the starter by using an insulated screwdriver to briefly touch the main power terminal and the smaller S (start) terminal on the starter solenoid. This can cause a spark, so be prepared. 

This video explains how to jump-start the starter solenoid: 59sJoe StoeYouTube · Jun 8, 2022
Important note
These are only temporary emergency fixes. You should have a mechanic inspect and replace the starter as soon as possible to prevent future problems.

What happens to a car when the starter goes out?

When a car's starter fails, the engine will not turn over when you turn the key, and you'll typically hear a single click or a rapid clicking sound instead of the engine cranking. The starter is responsible for initially turning the engine to get it running, so if it's broken, the car won't start at all, although dashboard and interior lights will still turn on as the battery is still working. The engine will continue to run normally once it's started, but it won't start again until the starter is replaced.
 
You can watch this video to learn about the symptoms of a bad starter: 1mEasyAutoFixYouTube · Feb 19, 2022
Symptoms of a failing starter

• Clicking noise: A single, loud click or a rapid series of clicks when you turn the key. 
• Engine won't crank: You turn the key, but nothing happens except for the lights coming on. 
• Intermittent starting: The car might start sometimes and not others. 
• Dimming lights: The lights may dim or the dashboard lights might flicker when you try to start the car, indicating a significant power draw. 
• Slow cranking: The engine may crank slowly and weakly before failing to start. 
• Grinding noise: A grinding sound could mean the starter motor is failing or its gear isn't engaging correctly. 

What to do if your starter has gone out

1. Check the battery and connections: Make sure the battery is charged and the cables are clean and tight, as a bad battery can mimic starter symptoms. 
2. Tap the starter: In some cases, gently tapping the starter with a hammer or wrench can temporarily free up a sticking part, allowing you to start the car one last time to get to a mechanic. 
3. Get it towed: Once the car is running (if you were able to start it by tapping), drive it directly to a mechanic. If you can't start it, have the vehicle towed to a repair shop. 
4. Replace the starter: The starter will need to be replaced to fix the problem permanently. 

This video demonstrates a temporary fix for a bad starter by tapping it with a hammer: 54sFixing With PassionYouTube · Jun 20, 2017