A battery can drain due to various causes but can a bad starter be one of them?
Generally, a bad starter can drain a battery, especially if you keep trying to start your car multiple times with one. If the starter is confirmed as bad, you should fix or replace it before it damages the battery.
I’ve revealed what signs to look for, what to check to confirm the drained battery is due to a bad starter, and why fixing or replacing the starter is important.
I’ve also mentioned what you can do if your engine fails to start due to a drained battery and given some tips for extending the life of your starter motor below.
A Bad Starter in Your Car
A bad starter is one of several reasons a car battery gets drained.
It’s not an uncommon cause of charge depletion. A bad starter is one thing you should suspect if you have a frequently drained battery and it’s new, or you’re sure it’s in good condition. It can even drain the battery while the engine is off.
Battery Drain
I mentioned earlier that a bad starter is one possible cause of a drained battery.
But how does a bad starter cause the battery to drain?
A bad starter might not use battery power when starting the car. Its solenoid might have a short circuit.
Battery Damage
A bad starter can even damage the battery.
An engine relies on lots of parts working together. A malfunction in any component can cause other components not to operate normally. It’s possible for the battery to eventually get damaged if you don’t fix or replace the starter.
What to Do with a Bad Starter
You should get a bad starter repaired or replaced quickly.
So, the questions you should be asking are:
- How can you tell if the starter is bad and causing the battery to drain?
- How can you test if the starter is bad?
- How can you replace a bad starter?
Knowing if a Starter is Bad
If you have a bad starter, you’ll notice:
- It takes a little longer to start than usual.
- The battery overcharges easily.
- When you start, the car makes a strange sound, like someone coughing or spitting.
- The engine fails to turn over. It could be due to the starter solenoid, a burnt motor, or other electrical problems.
However, you must test the starter to confirm if it is bad because a drained or overcharged battery can also be due to a faulty alternator or other reasons.
Other Causes
Some symptoms may not be due to a bad start:
- The starter engages, but the motor doesn’t spin – If you don’t hear the engine crank after engaging the starter, it might be a mechanical issue causing the starter to malfunction.
- Grinding sound – The starter motor may grind if the flywheel to which the starter gear is attached is worn out.
- Smoke when starting – If you notice smoke or a strange smell when starting the engine, it might be the starter overheating, but regardless, don’t drive. Shut off the engine and have the car inspected by a mechanic.
- Oil-soaked starter – An oil leak from the starter indicates a problem that could worsen. Get the car checked by a mechanic.
Testing to Confirm a Bad Starter
If the starter is not faulty, the problem could be either the battery or the alternator. So, eliminate the former to confirm a bad starter.
Eliminating the Battery
You can suspect the starter is bad if you can eliminate the battery, i.e., show that the battery is fine.
Open the car’s bonnet and disconnect the battery’s terminals (negative first, then positive). Reconnect the cable (positive first, then negative) and turn on the headlights and internal light. If the lights are dim, the battery’s charge is low.
However, if the lights are now bright, then the starter might be the problem.
You can also do another test called “percussive maintenance”. It works like this:
Lightly tap on the starter’s side with a wrench or hammer. Make sure not to strike hard. It should only be enough to stir the starter’s internal condition. If doing this causes the starter to work normally again, i.e., by making the battery charge normally now, it suggests that the starter was faulty and needs replacing.
Fixing or Replacing a Bad Starter
Once you’re sure the starter is bad, you can try the “percussive maintenance” method again but only for a temporary fix.
You can also fix a starter, but it requires more expertise and is best done by an auto-electrician. Sooner or later, however, you’ll have to replace the starter. Doing so is essential because a bad starter can drain or damage a battery.
Battery Drain
I mentioned earlier that a bad starter is one possible cause of a drained battery.
But how does a bad starter cause the battery to drain?
A bad starter might not use battery power when starting the car. It’s like having the engine off while the battery is being used and draining. The starter solenoid might have a short circuit.
Battery Damage
A bad starter can even damage the battery.
An engine relies on lots of parts working together. A malfunction in any component can cause other components not to operate normally, either. It’s possible for the battery to eventually get damaged if you don’t fix or replace the starter.
Dealing with a Non-Starting Engine
If you let the bad starter drain your battery so much that it fails to start the car, here’s what you can do.
Check Battery Connections
Check the battery for any loose connections. If you find any loose terminal or connector, clean and tighten it, then try to recharge the battery by starting your car. It might not be a bad starter after all.
Connections and Grounds
“Connections and grounds” should be a mantra for most no-start situations [Paul Brand, 2006].
Measure the battery’s voltage to the chassis ground, i.e., connect the red probe to the battery’s positive terminal and the black one to any metallic part of the engine or chassis. A fully charged battery gives a reading of at least 12.6 volts. Any less than this makes it difficult or incapable of cranking the engine (12.2-12.4 would be the minimum if there’s enough amperage).
After checking the battery, check other positive connections, including the starter motor. Also, the drop should not be more than 1/10 volts. Any more than this indicates either a high resistance or a fault with that component.
Tips for Extending a Starter’s Life
Knowing that a bad starter can drain a battery, it would be useful to know a few tips to prolong your starter’s life.
Tip 1: Clean the Terminals and Connectors
The battery’s terminals are susceptible to corrosion accumulating on them, which is caused by the sulfuric acid producing hydrogen.
Inspect the terminals regularly and clean the terminals when you see a buildup of corrosion. You can use sandpaper or a wire brush afterward to ensure the terminals have good contact with the cable’s clamps.
Also, ensure the cables and wires are clean. Any obstruction with the cables or their connectors could weaken the connections and affect the starter.
Tip 2: Clean the Solenoid
The solenoid is inside the starter motor’s housing, shaped like a cylindrical object.
It is attached to the battery’s positive terminal. If you’ve opened the starter and noticed dust or dirt on the solenoid, clean it off.
Tip 3: Tighten Mounting Bolts
Mounting bolts hold the starter in place.
A grinding sound could be due to loose bolts on the starter. Loose bolts cannot prevent the starter from moving and ensure it properly engages with the flywheel. The start could also get damaged if left in this condition.
Check the starter regularly and always ensure the mounting bolts are tight.
Tip 3: Inspect the Flywheel
The flywheel plays a role in the engine cranking process.
So if you notice a cranking issue, it might be the flywheel, but the flywheel can only do its job properly if the starter operates normally. The pinion gear on the starter’s side engages with the flywheel to help crank the engine. The gear and flywheel’s teeth rotate synchronously for a smooth operation.
The gear position of the starter or flywheel (or both) may need adjusting if you notice this operation is rougher than it should be.
References
Paul Brand. How to Repair Your Car. MotorBooks International. 2006.
Cleaning terminals of battery: https://www.daraz.pk/products/battery-terminals-connectors-rust-cleaner-battery-care-rust-remover-zang-remover-car-care-car-rust-cleaner-rust-remover-powder-car-care-kits-i140908090.html.
Video References
Cody the Car Guy
ElectronicsNmore
Handy Hudsonite