Mopar Starters

Helpful Information

1. What are car starters?

Engine starters are small battery-powered motors located between the car battery and the starter motor of your car. These relays are responsible for starting your engine during ignition, along with other components like the spark plugs. Without a properly working starter relay, you won’t be able to start and drive your car.

2. What are the five components of a car starter?

All engine starters have five main components. The armature can be found on the drive shaft, while the commutator is located at the rear of the starter housing. The brushes run on the section of the commutator. Starter motors also have a solenoid containing two coils, a plunger, a lever fork, a pinion, and field coils.

3. What causes starters to fail?

There are a variety of issues that could lead to a faulty car starter. When the connections of the starter become dirty or corroded, the motor will slowly deteriorate over time. Oil leaks, loose wiring, battery corrosion, and wear and tear on the other part of the starter system can cause your engine starter to fail over time.

4.  How do I know if my engine’s starter is not working?

There are a few ways you can determine if your car starter is starting to fail. For example, if you can't hear your engine crank or cranks slower than usual, your starter motor might be compromised. Another sign you can watch out for is grinding sounds that can be due to the starter beginning to loosen up.

5. How do I replace my engine starter?

The first thing you must do when replacing your starter is to disconnect your car battery. Once unattached, you can remove the wiring and the starter itself and transfer. Replace the old motor with a new one and attach the heat shield and brackets on it once secured. Make sure not to over-torque the starter retaining bolts when you’re installing the new starter.