Your Serene, Green Auto Repair Team and Small Business of the Year.
Written by Henry & Lisa Carter
Have you ever noticed how some mornings it can be harder to get started than others? It would seem that there are different things influencing our ability to get going. Well, when it comes to starting your car, there are also many things that influence your vehicle’s ability to get going. In previous of Rock, Paper, Car issues we have covered batteries and alternators, both of which affect the cars ability to start. Now, the time has come, to address the starter itself.
Every car comes equipped with a starter motor to help the engine get moving. The starter motor has a small gear (2 inches in diameter) at one end that spins when the starter motor is turning. It also contains a device called a solenoid that moves that gear in and out of meshing with the ring gear.
What is a ring gear? The ring gear is a rather large metal ring with many teeth about ¼ inch apart. The ring gear is about ten inches in diameter and is attached to the engine. By turning the key inside your car the ignition switch sends an electrical signal to the starter solenoid. Then, in turn, the solenoid moves the starter gear to mesh with the ring gear. When the gears are meshed together the solenoid’s internal electrical contacts direct electricity to the motor to spin. Then, “voila” the engine starts turning, causing the car to start and the solenoid disengages.
Good ole’ reliable car: Do you find, as we do, that most every time you turn your key, your car starts? For us, in fact, the starter works so well and so consistently that we become desensitized to the efficiency of this system. Then, randomly, one day, the key turns in the ignition and nothing happens. Or the car starts screaming, “Crank, crank, crank!” and simply doesn’t start. Certainly we have all had a similar experience. It is amazing how quickly the previously fantastic, reliable automobile can become the scourge of your existence.
Reality Check: That starter motor has been getting you going for YEARS, at a minimum of twice a day – and without a single complaint! After ten years that equals at least seven thousand starts. It also has been working under the most extreme of conditions like hanging out next to that hot vibrating engine – running in severe cold and heat, rain or shine. The more your engine ages the harder it is to start. Worn out tune-up parts, dirty oil, a weak battery, five plus trips a week to work, school, soccer, the store, etc. all put a strain on your poor starter as well.
Your starter is your friend. So next time you have your car in the shop request a starter checkup to see how its health is. At Water Star Motors we can do this for you and give you a little peace of mind that the starter will keep you on time for your next appointment.
Water Star Motors is at 318-A River Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060. 831-457-0996
We want to answer your car questions through Rock, Paper, Car.
Send questions and comments to: Henry&Lisa@WaterStarMotors.com
