Audi Repair

What To Do About Your Audi’s Faulty Starter

Posted mastermechanwpadmin
Clicking Sound When Turning Audi Key

Do you have an Audi with a starting problem? A car that does not easily start can cause you a lot of inconvenience and a huge source of frustration. If this happens frequently, it is most likely that your starter is not working as it should.

The starter is what gets your engine running, or in other words, it cranks the engine to start the car. When you insert a key and turn it or push the start button, the starter is activated and begins to spin the engine until it starts. However, when this component begins to degrade, you are likely to face scenarios where your vehicle will not start

How Do You Know If the Starter Is the Problem?

  • Clicking Sound When Turning the Key: One of the very common car problems you may encounter is when you turn the key and you hear a single click or rapid clicking, but the engine doesn’t turn over because the starter motor is not engaging. The clicking noise is usually made by the starter solenoid as it struggles to provide power to the motor.
  • Engine Won’t Crank At All: If the starter motor is completely dead, then turning the key does not produce any result. In this case, there are no noises, no cranking, just utter silence. This shows that the starter motor is bad, or that there is a poor connection to the electrical system.
  • Starter Engages But Engine Won’t Start: At times, there is a sound of the starter motor turning over, but the engine does not start. This could be due to a faulty or worn starter gear that may not engage with the flywheel, so it does not crank the engine.
  • Intermittent Starting Issues: If your Audi starts well one day but not the other, it might be that the starter is failing slowly. This could be due to the fact that the electrical contacts on the starter motor are worn out, or that the starter motor is too weak to turn properly.

What You Should Do If You Have A Bad Starter in Your Audi

  • Check the Battery First: The first thing to do is to check the battery, as a dead or weak battery can cause the same symptoms as a faulty starter. Before jumping to conclusions, use a multimeter to verify if the battery is dead or not. If the battery is dead, attempt to jump-start the car.
  • Check the Starter Connections: You should look for loose or corroded connections that might hinder the operation of the starter. Inspect the battery, the starter cables, and the grounds. Remove any rust, and make sure that all the connections are properly tightened.
  • Tap the Starter Motor: If the starter motor is not dead, but weak, it can be tapped gently using a wrench or hammer to help engage it. This is only a temporary solution that may be effective a couple of times, but it is a clear indication that the starter needs replacement.
  • Test the Starter Relay: The starter relay is a small electrical component that is used to provide power to the starter motor. If this relay fails, the starter will not receive any electricity to enable it to function as expected. It is usually cheaper to replace a relay than replacing the whole starter.
  • Replace the Starter Motor: If none of the above steps work, then it is very likely that the starter motor is itself at fault, and it needs to be replaced. Starter replacement involves pulling out the old motor, checking the flywheel, and then putting in a new one.

Audi Owners In Kalamazoo Know We Can Help Them With Their Starter Problems

At Master Mechanics Auto Repair, we know how Audi Starter Repair frustrating it is when your car doesn’t start as expected. Our skilled mechanics who are ASE certified are capable of addressing starter problems, and can quickly get your car back on the road. With only the best factory-grade tools and equipment, we can diagnose the problem whether it is a starter, battery, or electrical issue and come up with repairs that are durable and efficient. We are located in Kalamazoo, MI and also help Audi owners from Battle Creek and Portage.

Whether you need a starter replacement, your Audi battery checked or the entire electrical system checked, be assured that our team will be able to offer the service you need at an affordable price. Book your next repair appointment with us now!