What is Starter Motor?

The starter motor is one of the first parts to be learned and recognized as a mechanical part, especially by automobile lovers. The starter motor is the part that gives the car’s engine the first movement. Information about the working principle, characteristics, and technical details of the starter will be transferred to you in our article. One of the most important and unforgettable features of the starter motor; the vehicle’s ignition is connected to the starter motor. When the ignition of the automobile is turned, the power needed by the engine to move is transferred through this part. The most energy-generating part of a standard car is the starter motor. For this reason, the starter motor must be operated for a maximum of 10 seconds. When the starter is pressed, a dimming occurs due to the loss of power in the interior lighting and headlights of the car.

In addition to the information listed above; Another important thing to know about the starter motor is; If the starter motor does not respond to turning despite the start, it should be understood that; Either the battery is exhausted, the terminals are loosened, there is an oxidation state in the connections or the starter motor has run out of coal. When the starter motor does not work, it is meaningless to force the vehicle by pressing the starter insistently.

In addition, if 10 seconds, which is accepted as the maximum starting time, is exceeded, the battery of the vehicle will automatically discharge. If you try to operate the starter motor while the vehicle is in motion; You may damage the flywheel gears, which are important parts of the starter motor. We can summarize the things to keep in mind about the starter motor as follows; The starter motor is one of the small but most important parts in the car. Because without this small part, your car cannot work.

The starter motor works by means of the electricity it receives from the accumulator and enables the rotation of the flywheel gears connected to it. As the flywheel gears start to rotate, the air and fuel in your car begin to fill into the vehicle’s engine. Thus, the pistons start to make their first movement.

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How Does a Starter Work?

The first factor that makes the starter motor work is the power of the person turning the ignition. When the driver turns the ignition key, the gear in the starter motor is activated by engaging with the flywheel gears connected to the crankshaft. The flywheel gear transmits the rotational force that occurs immediately after this event to the crankshaft part. In this way, both the fuel in the car and the air in the atmosphere mix with each other and fill the engine of the vehicle.

As a result, the first movement of the pistons begins. As explained above, you will give your engine the first movement in this way. However, if you continue to hold the ignition key while your car starts running; you cause significant damage to the starter motor. By damaging the starter motor, you will shorten the life of the starter motor. The reason for shortening the life of the starter is to allow the gears to hit each other as long as you keep the ignition turned. By keeping the ignition switch turned, you cause the gears to hit each other and cause the continuously rotating parts to rub against the engine gear.

What Is The Role Of The Starter?

The main task of the starter motor; is to go out, to help turn the gear of the motor, and to return to its housing without wasting time after the engine has its first movement. Because it is programmed to return to its home as soon as possible and has been produced accordingly. However, if you do not allow the starter motor to return to its home despite fulfilling its duty; You cause rotating gears to hit each other, take blows and wear out over time. After a certain time, your gears burn out. In order not to cause the above-mentioned failure; Get used to taking your hand off the ignition key as soon as your vehicle’s engine starts.

Your car knows what to do after you make the first move. In today’s conditions, due to the fact that technology is integrated into more vehicles, vehicles with keys are produced. There is no such problem with such vehicles. Because in this type of car, your vehicle will run by adjusting itself when you press the start button. If it is a gasoline-powered vehicle, it runs immediately, while a diesel vehicle heats up to a sufficient temperature, heats the fuel, and then starts to work. Of course, this described situation takes seconds in your car.

Common Faults in Starter Motor

With turning the ignition of your car; Gears operating in relation to the starter must be interlocked and work to engage. While this is what should happen, this is one of the most common problems with starting motors. In other words, gears operating depending on the starter motor may not be well interlocked and may malfunction due to their inability to engage in a healthy way.

You will notice this when you hear disturbing noises from your vehicle. One of the situations that cause this failure situation to occur most obviously; is a state of wear of the starter motor, bushing bearings. When you encounter such a situation, what you need to do is to renew the bushing bearings. In addition, checking the oils of your car periodically and making the necessary supplements when you see that they are decreasing will prevent you from encountering such malfunctions. In addition, it will help your engine to run healthy and extend the life of your engine. Another common malfunction in the starter motor; These are the causes of aging, stretching, and loosening of the bolts that provide the connection between the battery and the starter and have the task of holding the cables.

The back ends of these bolt parts, which act as a kind of contact, may cause the windings arranged in series connected to the starter terminal to break. In this case, it causes malfunction. Except for the situations listed above; It may cause malfunctions in cases such as abrasion, oxidation, or aging of brushes and collectors located in the motor parts. Because of this kind of oxidation and abrasion; The passage of incoming currents becomes difficult. As a result, the cranking of the starter becomes heavier or cannot turn at all. These kinds of troubles are situations that need attention and attention. In particular, the annual maintenance of the vehicle should not be interrupted.

Reference: https://www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/samplechapter/0/1/3/2/0132373629.pdf