What Is A Starter And What Does It Do?
A starter motor is a device that cranks the engine to get it started. Modern cars use an electric starter motor that activates as soon as you turn the key or push the starter button. It gets its power from the car’s battery and turns the motor over to begin the internal combustion process.
Starter motors have been around since almost the dawn of the automobile. But they only became commonplace in the 1920s and ‘30s. In the early days, cars required a manual crank handle to start; this was both difficult and dangerous. In this post, we investigate what a starter motor is and why it’s important for your car.
What Does Your Starter Do?
A starter motor is a small electric motor. It turns the internal combustion engine over to get it going. It is made up of a starter solenoid and electric motor and is connected to the flywheel. If the starter motor is failing, you will have trouble starting your car. If it fails completely, you won’t be able to start your car at all.
How A Starter Motor Works
A starter motor is connected to the flywheel which is attached to the crankshaft. When you turn your ignition key an electromagnet pushes out a pinion gear. This meshes with the flywheel, which has matching gear teeth on its perimeter.
The starter motor turns over, rotating the flywheel which turns the engine over. The pinion retracts and the starter motor turns off. Step by step, it looks like this:
- You turn the ignition key (or press the starter button).
- The battery provides a strong current to the starter motor.
- An electromagnet pushes a pinion gear out which engages with the flywheel.
- The starter motor rotates causing the flywheel to turn.
- The engine turns over and the combustion process starts.
- The pinion gear retracts, and the starter motor turns off.
How Long Should A Starter Last?
Image Credti: AnthonyJ350
As with any moving part, the starter motor can eventually wear out. The solenoid and electric motor brushes will wear, making it harder to start the car. This will make it harder to start the car and can put strain on the battery. Causes of failure may include:
- Worn electric motor brushes
- Corroded electrical connectors
- Damaged or worn pinion gear
A starter motor should last for several years. Frequent short trips, a weak battery and oil leaking onto the starter motor can reduce its lifespan, but you can plan on the starter lasting around 100,000 miles or more before needing to replace it. They symptoms of a failing starter motor will be quite obvious. In most cases, a starter motor starts to act up before failing completely. These are the signs to watch for:
- Car requires lots of cranking
- Engine won’t turn over the first time
- The starter motor sounds lazy or tired
- Interior lights dim when you try to start the car
- Starter motor doesn’t turn off in time
- Clicking noise before starter motor turns on
The starter motor uses a lot of energy. This can quickly drain the battery if you have to keep trying to crank the car over.
Why A Quality Starter Motor Matters
Your starter motor is a crucial component of your car. It should last for around 100,000 miles, but this can vary depending on your usage. OEM starter motors have been designed to work perfectly with your specific car. Buying an aftermarket part can often be a false economy. Non-OEM parts do not have to pass stringent testing and are often built with subpar components.
At GM Parts Center, we only provide OEM parts backed by GM’s replacement warranty. We offer a price match guarantee to ensure that you get the best part at the best price. Contact us today or shop online to find your OEM starter at a great wholesale price.
Author - Matt Mylan
Matt Mylan is a Parts Operations Director with 36 years of experience in the automotive parts industry. He specializes in Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Cadillac parts.