How to extend the life of your starter
1) Clean the connections
The battery and starter connect to each other through a set of special connecting cables. If there is corrosion or other dirt or debris on the terminals, it will limit the amount of current sent to the starter relay.
This can prevent the engine from producing enough power for full cranking. It can also compromise the integrity of the engine and cause excessive wear.
To clean the connections, you must first disconnect the battery. Blow off any visible dirt and dust with compressed air. Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol or acetone to remove any other residue, or use a special solution for cleaning electrical contacts (they often come with a handy spray to reach tight spaces).
You can use an eraser or fine sandpaper to remove any residue and make the surface shine again. However, be sure to remove any sanding residue with alcohol or a clean toothbrush before reattaching the connector.
2) Tighten the mounting screws
The starter motor is held in place by mounting screws. If these mounting bolts are too loose, the starter motor drive and flywheel will not engage properly. Symptoms of this include a rumbling noise when trying to start the engine.
To prevent this, regularly check that the mounting screws on the starter motor are tightened to the specified torque. The high torque of the starter motor puts pressure on the bolts and vibrates the housing, which can loosen the starter over time if you use the starter repeatedly to start the car.
3) Clean the starter solenoid
The solenoid is often confused with the starter relay (the starter relay is the electrical component that transfers power to the solenoid when you turn the key). The solenoid is a small cylinder located on top of the starter motor. There is usually a small electrical connector that plugs into the starter motor, and that is for the starter solenoid. The solenoid requires regular cleaning and maintenance (for safety reasons, always disconnect the battery first).
Battery
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Cleaning the battery connectors is relatively easy. We recommend wearing gloves and safety glasses.
First disconnect the battery cables (black, then red). Next, apply a paste of baking soda and water and leave it for a few minutes to create a chemical reaction and neutralize the corroding battery acid. Alternatively, you can sprinkle baking soda on the corroded area and then sprinkle water on top of it. Then use a dry paper towel to remove any corrosion/baking soda residue and wipe the area thoroughly using an abrasive pad if necessary. Replace the battery cables in reverse order: red first, then black.
5) Check the Flywheel
The flywheel is the rotating device that helps the starter motor crank the engine. The front of the starter has something called a pinion, which is a gear that meshes with the flywheel to start the engine.
Both the flywheel teeth and the gear teeth should be in good condition. If the teeth are causing the problem, you will need to replace the flywheel or pinion.
Starter vs. Starter Relay Failure (Diagnostic Test)
If the starter is the culprit, the problem could be mechanical or electrical. This depends on whether the root cause is in the starter motor or the starter solenoid. If you can rule out mechanical failure, it will be easier to find the source of the problem.