When you turn the key and nothing happens
Few things are as frustrating as sitting in the car, turning the key (or pressing the button) and instead of the familiar sound of an engine catching getting... silence. Or worse, hearing that painful clicking that tells you the starter is trying but cannot. The starter motor is one of those parts you do not think about while it works, but the moment it stops you are going nowhere.
And then the maths starts. How much does a new starter cost? And the fitting? And a used one? Will a used one be reliable? All legitimate questions, and this guide answers them.
How a starter motor actually works
The starter is a powerful electric motor that does one job: it spins the crankshaft fast enough for the engine to start running on its own. When you turn the key to "start", the following happens:
- An electrical signal activates the electromagnet (solenoid) on the starter
- The solenoid pushes a small gear (bendix) into mesh with the large gear on the flywheel
- At the same time, the solenoid closes the electrical circuit and the starter receives full power from the battery
- The starter spins the engine at about 200-300 rpm
- The engine catches and starts running on its own
- The bendix automatically retracts to avoid damaging the starter
The whole process takes a second or two, but in that short time 100 to 300 amps flow through the starter. That is a huge amount of energy, which is why starters are massive, heavy parts, usually between 3 and 8 kilograms.
The most common starter faults
To know what to watch for on a used starter, you need to understand what fails most often:
Worn brushes - just like in an alternator, the starter has brushes that transfer current to the rotor. They wear over time and the starter loses power. This is the most common reason for a starter gradually weakening.
Faulty solenoid - the solenoid can burn out or its contacts can stick. The symptom is usually a single loud "click" when you turn the key, but the engine does not crank. Sometimes a gentle tap on the starter helps (seriously, that really does work as a temporary fix).
Worn bendix - the bendix gear can wear so it does not engage the flywheel properly. The result is a characteristic whirring or grinding when starting.
Burned windings - if the starter runs too long (for instance when the engine will not catch), the windings can overheat and burn. Such a starter is usually scrap.
Worn bearings - the bearings allow the rotor to spin smoothly. When they wear, the starter becomes noisy and less efficient, and it can seize completely.
When a used starter makes sense
Let's be practical. Here are the situations where a used starter makes perfect sense:
Older car with lower value - if your car is worth EUR 2,000-3,000, putting EUR 300-500 into a new starter is proportionally a lot. A used one for EUR 50-100 is a far more logical option.
A car you do not drive daily - if you only use the car at weekends or occasionally, the starter wears far less than on a car started 10 times a day. A used starter will last you a very long time in that case.
Urgent replacement - when your starter dies at the worst possible moment and you need the car running quickly, a used one is often available immediately, while a new original part may take days or weeks to arrive.
Specific models - on some cars, particularly older European models, a new original starter can be unreasonably expensive. A used one is then the only financially sensible option.
On the other hand, if you drive a new car, drive it daily in short urban runs (lots of starting and stopping), or have a start-stop system constantly cycling the starter, it may be better to invest in a new or refurbished unit.
How to check a used starter
Checking a starter is a little more involved than checking an alternator because you need to connect it to a battery to test it. But here is what you can do:
Visual check
Look at the housing. It must not be cracked or deformed. Connectors must be clean. If you see traces of oil leakage on the starter, that does not mean the starter is bad, but it does mean it was in a less-than-ideal environment and should be checked more carefully.
Bendix check
The bendix must rotate freely in one direction and be locked in the other (one-way clutch). Try turning it by hand. Also, look at the gear teeth: they must be sharp and undamaged.
Electrical test
The most reliable test is to connect the starter to a battery. Connect the negative cable to the starter housing and the positive to the main terminal. Then briefly bridge the small solenoid terminal to the positive battery post. The starter should spin strongly and the bendix should pop out. The sound must be strong and even, with no catching or roughness.
If you do not have experience with this kind of testing, ask a mechanic or go to a workshop that has a starter test bench. Most serious scrapyards also offer testing before sale.
Brush check
If you can take off the rear cover of the starter, look at the brushes. They should be at least 8-10mm long for normal operation. If they are shorter, they will need replacing soon, but that is a relatively cheap and simple repair you can even do yourself.
Used starter prices
Here is a price guide so you know what to expect:
- Used starter - EUR 30 to 120, depending on model and condition
- Refurbished starter - EUR 80 to 200
- New aftermarket - EUR 100 to 250
- New original (OEM) - EUR 200 to 600
- Fitting - EUR 50 to 150, depending on accessibility on your car
As you can see, the price difference between used and new original is significant. And the quality difference, if you buy carefully, can be minimal.
Tips for extending starter life
Whether you buy new or used, here is how to extend its life:
Do not hold the starter too long - when starting the engine, do not hold the key in "start" for more than 5-10 seconds. If the engine does not catch, let the starter rest at least 30 seconds before trying again. Continuous cranking overheats the starter and drastically shortens its life.
Maintain the battery - a weak battery means the starter has to work harder and longer to crank the engine. That wears it out faster. Check battery voltage regularly and replace it when needed.
Look after the engine - an engine that starts with difficulty (worn plugs, poor fuel, bad injectors) needs longer cranking, which wears the starter faster. Keep the ignition and fuel injection systems in good order.
Clean the contacts - oxidised or dirty contacts on the starter and battery create resistance, meaning the starter gets less current and has to work harder. Occasionally clean the battery terminals and starter contacts.
Start-stop systems and used starters
If your car has a start-stop system, bear in mind that those cars use reinforced starters designed for tens of thousands of restarts. A standard starter on such a car will not last long. If you are buying a used starter for a start-stop car, you must get one designed for that system.
Those starters are a bit more expensive, even used, but do not try to save by fitting a standard starter. It will fail quickly and you will end up spending more.
How to order a used starter
On the PoDi platform the process is simple. Enter your vehicle's details (make, model, year, engine), state you need a starter motor and PoDi connects you with suppliers who send quotes. You can compare prices, warranties and reviews and pick the best.
It is important when ordering to give vehicle details as precisely as possible, including the VIN if you can. That eliminates the chance of getting the wrong starter, because differences between versions are sometimes subtle but important.
Replacing a starter: yourself or at a workshop
Replacing a starter varies from trivial to nightmare depending on the car. On some models the starter is immediately visible and accessible from the top of the engine. On others it is hidden under the intake manifold, or can only be reached from below, which means lifting the car.
If you have mechanical experience and a decent tool kit, on most cars you can replace the starter yourself in a workshop shift. The key thing is to disconnect the battery first. The starter uses a thick cable that is permanently live and a short circuit can be dangerous.
If you are not sure, take the car and the used starter to a workshop. Fitting usually costs EUR 50-100, and peace of mind has no price. Especially on modern cars where everything is packed in tight and one mistake can mean an expensive repair.
A starter that fires, a wallet that breathes
A used starter motor is one of those car parts that buy very well used. They are tough in construction, relatively easy to check and the price difference compared to new is huge. With a little care in selection and checking, you can get a part that will serve you reliably for years.
Just remember: check the bendix, test operation on a battery, look at the brushes, and buy from reliable suppliers who offer a warranty. With that approach, a used starter is an investment that pays back many times over.