Is your car’s electric starter motor damaged? You’ll need to know the starter replacement cost.
To start the engine, cars use an electric starter motor. A conventional engine starter is powered by your car battery and can rotate an engine at speeds of 200-300 RPM. Any problem with your starter might make starting your car difficult or impossible.
When Do You Need A New Starter?
An electric starter motor is so essential to the basic functionality of your engine starting system. If you have issues with starting your car, that could indicate your car needs a new car starter.
The following are some of the most prevalent symptoms that your starter is damaged:
- Your car’s cranking is erratic.
- When you turn the key, nothing happens.
- When you start your car, you hear strange noises.
The starter’s armature must be free of damage to function correctly. Minor flaws in this component can cause unique startup problems.
If your starter has electrical or mechanical problems, it may turn too slowly to reach your engine’s desired cranking RPM. Although you may hear the engine rollover, the procedure is too slow to start the engine completely.
Strange noises may indicate a flywheel ring or starter drive gear failure, especially grinding. Finally, internal starter problems can lead your starter to stop working entirely. If this is the case, there will be no sounds or other indications that your engine is starting when you turn the key in the ignition.
How much does Starter Replacement Cost?
The cost of rebuilding parts for a starter might range anywhere from $50 to $350. A brand-new starter might cost anywhere between $80 to $350. You can expect to pay between $150 and over $1,100 for a qualified mechanic to replace or rebuild your starter.
These figures vary greatly based on the nature of the problem and your car’s make, model, and year. Many cars have an easily accessible starter that can be removed and replaced in under an hour; however, others are significantly more problematic. They can be hidden beneath other engine components, such as the intake manifold.
A complete starter replacement is an excellent DIY project for folks with the necessary equipment and skills if you opt to do it yourself.
Breakdown of Starter Replacement Cost
When the experts take a look
Depending on a few criteria, taking your car to your local auto shop will cost $250 and $400.
- Local location: The average labor rate varies substantially between states and counties. Ohio is the cheapest state for car repairs, followed by Maine, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Vermont. The District of Columbia, Connecticut, California, Georgia, and New Jersey are the most costly states (in descending order).
- Make, and model your car: The more familiar the car, the less expensive the parts are likely to be. All of this has to do with supply and demand. The more of a given car item (in this case, the starter) you can find, the cheaper it will be.
If you look at a few different parts websites and shops, you’ll find that the average price for a new, high-quality starter is $150. Because it’s a quick job that shouldn’t take more than an hour, labor costs should be modest – roughly $80, give or take. These add up to roughly $230 in total, including taxes.
When it comes to other, less commonly observed cars, these figures are only expected to rise. Another significant benefit of hiring specialists to do the work for you is that the service is covered by insurance, and they should cover anything that goes wrong. To be safe, make sure you get a warranty before any repair is done.
DIY method
Replacing the starter on your own should be less expensive. The lower cost is due to the absence of labor expenditures, and you’ll only be responsible for the cost of the part. A starter motor will set you back $150 plus taxes. As a result, you should anticipate paying around this amount for it.
You can remove the old starter and replace it with the new one with minimal tools. A ratchet with a 3/8′′ or 1/4′′ drive and extensions should suffice. You may also require a torch or headlamp and the ability to lift the car off the ground on rare occasions. As a result, a jack and axle stands, or access to a hydraulic ramp or inspection pit, are required.
What factors affect Starter Replacement Cost?
The first step is to determine whether or not a starter causes your car’s starting problem. Because numerous starting system components are interconnected, your problem could be caused by various electrical or mechanical problems not related to the starter. An aged battery could also cause the symptoms.
Start by inspecting one of your car’s starter fuses and relays.
Identifying the damaged part can assist you, or a mechanic can compare the costs of rebuilding or replacing your starter. A rebuild project can take a long time, but a replacement project merely necessitates the installation of a new starter and tightening of the nuts to OEM torque specifications.
Parts of an Electric Motor Starter
Understanding the internal components of a starter can help you decide whether to repair or replace it, which can impact the cost of the service. The following are the main components of an automobile starter:
- Electromagnetic field coils or permanent magnets
- Armature and commutator
- Solenoid
- Shift fork
- Starter drive gear
- Brushes
- Bearings and bushings
The starting housing houses the electromagnetic field coils. You may have two to four field coils depending on your car. These are powered by the armature to spin over the engine and are energized by your car’s battery. The armature is a long-lasting component supported by a shaft and bearings. Conductor loops are wrapped around the armature to transfer electricity and maintain electrical contact while it rotates.
A starting solenoid consists of a moveable core and two-wire coils. It controls the electrical circuit and activates the starter by turning it on and off. A plunger connected to the solenoid manipulates the shift fork connected to the starter drive gear to turn the engine over when engaged on starters with an integrated solenoid.
Starters are available in a variety of sizes and patterns. Before purchasing a starting or starter rebuild kit, always study your owner’s handbook.
What Happens if you have a Faulty Starter?
As the name says, a starter only works while starting your car. A defective starter may prevent you from continuing to drive your car after it has been turned off.
How can I know if I Need to Replace or Repair my starter?
To verify whether your starter is the source of the problem, consult a mechanic or thoroughly inspect the entire starting mechanism. If that’s the case, you’ll need to inspect your starter to figure out what’s wrong.
Some damaged starter components are simple to repair, while others need many parts and effort. If you’re doing a significant rebuild, it might be more cost-effective to replace your starter entirely. Whether replacing your starter or dealing with a professional mechanic, this will save you time.
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