What a failing starter sounds like
The starter is an electric motor that spins the engine to get it going. When it fails, it usually tells you first.
- One loud click and nothing else, with bright dash lights
- Grinding when you turn the key
- Whirring or spinning without the engine turning over
- Starts sometimes, not others
- Smoke or a burning smell after repeated tries
Rule out the battery first
A weak battery or a loose, corroded cable can sound exactly like a bad starter. Rapid clicking usually points to the battery; a single solid click with strong lights points more toward the starter.
YBE tests the battery, the cables and the starter circuit before recommending a starter, so you do not replace a part that was fine.
Need This Fixed?
YBE handles this at the Capitol Heights shop, seven days a week. Read about Battery, Alternator and Starter Repair, or call and describe what your car is doing.
Further Reading
Background on the parts and systems described above.