In our cars, there are small parts that play a determining role in the operation of the machine. This is the case with the starter. At the beginning of its creation, the automobile was essentially started by cranking.
Today, we cross the threshold of the ignition key to head towards the map and the remote control to start our cars. The starter plays an important role in starting the engine, hence the importance of controlling it well.
The starter contains three main elements: the electric motor, the starter and the solenoid.
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What is the starter?
We can say that the starter is a small, powerful independent electric motor whose main role is to start the car’s engine. When you start the car, it is this small electrical part that turns on the engine.
This is an energy-consuming part (approximately 300 amps) as it faces engine compression. When powered, it can create combustion in the cylinders to start the machine’s engine.
This piece contains three main elements:
- electric motor;
- launcher;
- solenoid.
The electric motor whose power comes from the car battery and to which it is connected via a cable. Central part of the starter, it consists of two bearings (front and rear), an armature with collector and windings. It is in the form of a carcass to which numerous inductors and the solenoid are linked.
The starter: responsible for engaging the flywheel, it is a device made up of a toothed pinion, a free wheel, and a fork which drives the whole thing.
The solenoid: made up of a core with two windings (holding and inrush) and a contact which connects the inductors to the battery circuit and the brushes. This part is the intermediary between the electric motor and the ignition key. It is actually a relay.
Also note that there are now starters equipped with an epicyclic gear assembly which considerably reduces electricity consumption and increases their output torque.
Without this part, no starting is possible. But how does this actually work with the starter?
How exactly does a car starter work?
The role of the starter is to activate the vehicle’s engine in order to set it in motion. Its operating mechanism is relatively simple to understand.
Once the driver of the car turns on the ignition, an electrical voltage is transferred to the starter by the action of the hand on the ignition key. This is energy from the car battery, which is the power plant for the equipment when the engine is stopped.
Once produced, this voltage will be transformed into power for the double winding of the solenoid. The supply of the double coil of the solenoid will in turn cause an electromagnetic force necessary for the sliding of the cylinder. These movements of the core therefore provide the electricity needed by the starter motor.
By supplying electricity to the starter motor, movements of the solenoid activate the lacer fork. The latter will act on the toothed pinion to position it around the edge of the flywheel. The action of the motor rotates the pinion and this rotation follows that of the flywheel by gear.
By the same effect, the flywheel drives the crankshaft which will activate the car’s engine. The driver of the car can release the ignition key and thus cut off the electric motor as well as the flywheel pinion. The vehicle is then running.
This results in a normal start when the starter works perfectly.
How to maintain a car starter?
For a car’s starter to continue to function normally, it is essential to know how to detect possible signs of malfunction and act promptly. It is also essential to clean certain components of the starter.
Know how to spot faults on the starter
It may happen that the car’s starter does not work properly. In this case, several symptoms will be observed.
Each sign has a corresponding cause that must be detected:
- If nothing happens when the driver turns the ignition key, it is likely that the starter is not properly supplied with electricity due to a problem with the cables or the solenoid;
- If the starter clicks when you turn the key without the engine starting, the problem may come from the power supply to the electric motor. Probably, the brushes or carbons are worn and require replacement;
- When the starter turns completely empty, the problem would come from the pinion. It can have two problems: either the wear of its teeth prevents it from attaching to the flywheel, or else, due to lack of sufficient lubrication, it simply does not reach the flywheel;
- When the vehicle starts and a metallic noise is heard momentarily, it is possible that the starter pinion continues to be engaged with the steering wheel when it should disengage;
- If we observe instead that when starting, the engine of the machine is idling, it is either worn brushes or the battery which has a problem.
The right actions to take in the event of a starter failure
Several symptoms indicate faults on the starter: clicking noises, low or absent rotational speed of the electric motor. In these cases, tests must be carried out to be sure of the origin of the failure. Start with the battery then move on to the solenoid before getting to the starter itself.
As for testing the car starter itself, start by removing it and placing it inside a vise. Make a connection between the battery and the starter using a jumper cable.
The positive cable will be connected to the solenoid while the negative will be connected to the starter ground. To power the solenoid control, use a jumper wire connected to the battery.
Solutions in the event of a broken starter
When a car’s starter fails, there are mainly two solutions available. The first is to replace only the defective part. This is a tedious task, but this solution is economical.
This involves dismantling the entire starter in order to analyze the condition of its various components, its cables, its coils and its brushes. The defective part can be replaced, then the entire part can be cleaned and greased.
The second solution consists of simply replacing the starter. There are standard exchange starters on the market whose prices vary between €100 and €200.
When the starter is completely defective, it must be replaced. To do this, we start by disconnecting the battery to remove the starter. As a safety measure, disconnect the power supply to the starter as well as its colored wires and remove its 2 or 3 fixings. This makes it easy to remove the starter.
The new starter can therefore be placed in the location of the old one and plugged in. The rest of the procedure will consist of replacing the fixing screws and the starter connectors and the battery.
For this work, good electrical and technological knowledge is necessary. It is then recommended to entrust the operation to an automobile electrical workshop. Just like when you face a serious starter problem.
