Starter Service in Ontario, CA

What Is a Starter?

The starter in a vehicle is a small motor, powered by the battery. Its function is to get your vehicle’s engine running. A starter relay is located between the battery and the starter motor where it transmits power. If your starter or starter relay is failing, your vehicle will fail to start and may require a tow.

Common Bad Starter Symptoms

• Engine won’t turn over: If your engine won’t crank, even after you attempt to use a battery charger or jump start your vehicle, you will need to have your vehicle towed into Mark Christopher Cadillac for service.
• Lights work, but the engine doesn’t: When you turn the key or press the starter switch and your dashboard lights come on but your engine doesn’t, you might have starter troubles.
• Something doesn’t sound right: Perhaps the most common indicator that your starter is having problems is a telltale clicking sound that occurs when you turn the key. This or a whirring or grinding sound can mean starter problems, but your starter may simply die without any sound at all.
• Smoke billowing out of the engine compartment: Your starter system is an electrical system, which means that your starter or starter relay may be prone to short circuits or blown fuses. When you attempt to start your over and over, it can result in overheating, causing electrical issues, which may be indicated by smoke coming out. Call for help; don’t keep trying to get the engine to start.
• Oily messes: When you open the hood, find the starter. If you have RWD, you will likely find the starter on the passenger’s side below the exhaust manifold. If you are driving a FWD vehicle, you can look for the starter above the transmission or under the exhaust manifold on the driver’s side. In some vehicles, you may find the starter under the intake manifold. If you find the starter and see that it’s covered in oil, then an oil leak may be causing your starter issues, which can also be accompanied by smoke.

Many things can cause starter problems, from loose wiring to corroded connections to battery corrosion to worn out parts. If you notice any signs or symptoms above, have your issue diagnosed at our Service Center.