Starter Service

Starter Service with Stanley Ford Gilmer

You probably never think much about the starter on your vehicle unless there's a problem. You expect to go out to your vehicle, start it up, and be on your way. However, If you can't get your vehicle to start, it may be an issue with your starter system. If you live around Gilmore, Longview, or Tyler, you can trust the service center at Stanley Ford Gilmer to find and fix any starter issue you may have.

The Purpose of the Starter

The starter system on your vehicle consists of a motor and relay switch. The motor is powered by your battery and is designed to start the engine. The starter transmits power to the relay from the battery. If one component doesn't work, your vehicle's engine won't start.

How to Tell If You Have a Bad Starter

There are several indications that you may be having problems with your starter before it quits completely. You may notice a funny sound. You might hear a clicking noise when you turn the ignition, or even a whirring or grinding noise. These sounds indicate there's something wrong with your starter. You may turn the starter and the dashboard lights come on, but your engine doesn't start up. If your engine won't start even when you have it jumped, it could indicate that your starter has gone bad.

Sometimes your starter may blow a fuse or short circuit. This often happens when you're trying to start the car multiple times. The starter may overheat and cause fumes to come out from under your hood. At this point, you need to leave it alone and call for service. Your starter may have issues if you have an oil leak and the oil drips down onto it.

Causes of Starter Problems

There are several reasons why your starter may not work. The wiring may come loose from the starter to the battery. The connections may get dirty or become corroded. When these connections are corroded, it won't allow power to the components. Some of your starter components may have worn out and need to be replaced.

You can look under your vehicle's hood to see if you can figure out the cause of the problem. Notice if the battery cables are secure and if they are clean or dirty. You may want to tap your starter a few times to see if it will restore the connection. Even if this works, you still need to bring your vehicle in for service. Another option is to put the transmission into neutral. If you can start the engine while the vehicle is in neutral but not in park, you may have an issue with your safety switch.

If you can't get your engine to start have someone help you jumpstart it. Once you have started it, bring it to Stanley Ford Gilmer’s service center and have us look at it. We can diagnose the problem and let you know if a part needs to be replaced.

Schedule service online with Stanley Ford of Gilmer. Or call us to set up your appointment.