A starter is an electricity-powered motor that is responsible for providing external energy to a combustion engine so it can start functioning. Faults in the starter circuits can cause you trouble while starting the car. Simple tests through a multimeter or a circuit tester can ensure that your starter works fine. However, there are other components in the starter circuit that you will need to test as well. Read on to find out how to check a starter circuit so you can easily start your car.
Signs of a fault in the Starter Circuit
Following are some of the signs that indicate that something might be wrong with your car’s starter circuit:
- When you turn on the car’s ignition, nothing happens. In case of a malfunctioning starter, no power is supplied to the engine to start functioning; thus, the car does not start.
- Another sign you’d notice is that even though the starter motor is turned on, it is not engaging. You can hear the motor’s typical noise, but it is not giving any yield.
- A faulty starter motor will give off strange whirring sounds as you turn on the ignition.
- When you start the car, you’ll notice that only the lights on the dashboard turn on, but the engine does not rev up.
- You can either see smoke coming out of the starter or smell burnt plastic from short-circuited wires of the starter circuit.
Reasons for a Malfunctioning Starter Circuit
A starter circuit can malfunction for multiple reasons; some of the common causes are:
- Loose wires – Loose wires in the circuit can cause the starter to function erratically, resulting in the car starting in irregular patterns. Sometimes the car will start instantly; other times, it would take a lot of time or not startup. Work on the wiring system carefully to avoid any shocks.
- Corroded or Dirty Connections – the connections in the starter can corrode over time due to constant wear and tear and can also accumulate dirt inside them. The corrosion causes the connections to weaken, while the dirt can cause unnecessary resistance in the system.
- Damage Components – The starter circuit will not function properly if any of the mechanical or electrical components in the starter are damaged. The carbon brushes inside the motor wear out over time and need replacing. A starter can most likely experience issues with the solenoid switch or single pinion gear.
- Faulty Relay or Blown out Fuses – In the case of a faulty relay or a blown-out fuse, the starter circuit will not receive any power supply from the car’s battery, thus would not be able to provide any assistance to the engine for starting up. Check the relay switch for any faults. Also, check and replace any fuses that are blown out.
- Battery – A faulty battery can be one of the main reasons why the starter is not working in the first place. Not getting any electrical supply from the battery inhibits a starter’s ability to power the engine. Test the battery and also check the battery’s connections and leads for any damages. You can use a car battery charger to get the battery going again; otherwise, it is best to buy a new battery with the right amps.
How to check a starter circuit
Checking a starter circuit is an easy task that requires simple tests using electrical testing tools.
You can easily check the electrics using a multimeter. However, if a multimeter is not available, you can also use a simple circuit test or a test bulb.
Safety Warning
When dealing with electrical circuits and components, be extremely careful not to come in contact with any naked wires or current discharging components. Use tools with handles that are highly insulated with plastic to avoid any electrocution incidents.
Checking the battery
Before dealing with any electrical component, you need to check the batteries first.
- Start by placing the multimeter probes on the positive and negative terminals of the car’s battery. The red one goes on the positive terminal, and the back one goes on the negative terminal.
- The reading on the multimeter should show 12 volts.
- Now start the starter switch. The reading on the multimeter should fall to 10.5 volts. If the reading remains static, there is an issue with the ignition or the solenoid switch. However, if the reading falls below the 10.5 mark, the battery is depleted.
Checking the Solenoid Switch
To check the solenoid switch, follow the following steps:
- Start by placing the multimeter probe on the solenoid terminals. The positive red probe goes on the terminal where the starter is connected, and the black negative probe goes on the terminal connected to the battery.
- You can see 12 volts on the multimeter.
- Turn the ignition switch on; the reading should drop by 0.5 volts. If it does not fall, there is a problem with the solenoid switch. Replace the switch and check again. If the problem persists, there is a problem in the ignition switch circuit.
Checking the Starter motor
Following the steps listed below to check the starter motor:
- Place the positive probe of the multimeter on the terminal where the solenoid switch is connected and place the negative probe on the metal part of the starter to ground it.
- If the reading from the battery was 12 volts, the reading on the multimeter should momentarily drop now. The reading should only drop by 0.5 volts if the circuit is not faulty.
Note: Sometimes, the single pinion gear of the motor gets stuck, which is why the motor stops working. You can free the gear by turning it from the pinion stub using a wrench. Also, replace the carbon brushes inside the motor, which might have worn out.
And there you go, simple and easy ways to check the car’s starter circuit. Starters play a crucial role in starting a car’s engine by providing an initial high torque. Keeping the starter circuit completely functioning is thus very important in order to keep your car running. Knowing how to check a starter circuit is a basic skill that will help you easily identify any problem related to getting the engine started. Learning how to conduct tests on your own can be very cost-effective since you will not require professional help from a mechanic.
