New Automotive Starters - Select your Make
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Starter Information
The Starters Job
The starter's job is to provide your engine with the initial crank needed to get the entire system up and running. A small amount of energy released by the battery is sent to a solenoid, which works in conjunction with your starter motor.
The starter has a drive with a pinion gear that meshes with the engine's crankshaft flywheel. When you turn on the ignition, this pinion gear is moved into position, meshing with the crankshaft. The starter motor then spins this drive, and because the drive is now meshed with the crankshaft, it turns the engine over (makes the pistons and valves start moving).
As this happens, an electrical current is sent to the ignition, providing the sparks needed to get the engine running on it's own. When you release the ignition switch, the drive and pinion gear move back out of position.
Technical
The starter converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. When you turn on the ignition switch, a small amount of power is released from the battery and sent to the solenoid. The solenoid is usually just above the starter motor, on some cars it is mounted on the inside of the fender, near the battery.
A magnetic field is created, pulling the solenoid plunger forward and forcing the attached shift yoke to move the starter drive so that its pinion gear meshes with the engine's crankshaft flywheel. When the plunger completes its movements, it strikes a contact that permits a greater amount of current to flow from the battery to the starter motor.
The starter motor spins the drive and turns the meshed gears, providing power to the crankshaft. Turning the crankshaft prepares each cylinder for ignition. After the engine starts, the ignition switch is released to break the starting circuit.
The solenoid's magnetic field collapses and the return spring pulls the plunger back, automatically shutting off the starter motor and disengaging the starter drive. When the starter is not in use, the drive unit is retracted so that its pinion is disengaged from the flywheel.
As soon as the starter is activated, the forward movement of the solenoid plunger causes the shift yoke to move the drive in the opposite direction and engage the pinion and flywheel.
The pinion is locked to its shaft by a clutch that unlocks if the engine starts up and the flywheel begins turning the pinion faster than its normal speed. By allowing the pinion to spin freely for a moment, the clutch protects the motor from damage until the drive is retracted.
Starter Problems and Solutions
Here is a guide to some common starter problems, and their likely solutions. These are put is general terms, and may or may not describe your particular problem.
- If you go to start the car and you hear one click, then after two or three tries, it starts: The starter solenoid is bad and should be replaced.
- If you hear the starter try to turn, but then it just whirls: The starter drive (often referred to as a bendix) is bad and needs to be replaced. You should also have the flywheel inspected.
- If you hear a rapid clicking sound when you turn the key, and the car won't start: The battery is weak and needs to be jumped, recharged or replaced.
- If the starter seems to be turning very slowly: The starter is drawing too many amps and will need to be rebuilt or replaced.
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