Your diesel truck uses glow plugs and a starter motor to get the engine started. If the starter motor is going bad, you may notice one or more of the following signs. United Diesel Repair can replace your truck’s starter if it has gone bad. If you have over 100,000 miles on your diesel engine, it’s possible the starter motor is dying or has already died. Let’s talk more about this below.
Clicking or Whirring Sounds
You never want to hear strange noises such as clicking or whirring when you turn the key in the ignition. If you hear these noises before the engine ignites, drive directly to our shop. These sounds are the sounds that a starter makes when it is reaching the end of its life. It’s better to replace the starter now than to wait for it to die completely. A dead starter means a dead motor.
A Dead Diesel Engine
We just said that, right? The fact is that it’s true. If the starter motor dies completely, you will be unable to get your diesel engine started. You may end up with some warning signs prior to the dead engine. If it has become extremely difficult to get your engine started lately, stop by our shop so we can take a look to see what’s wrong. Hard starts can be caused by a faulty starter.
Yet, the Lights Work
I dead engine can also be caused by a dead battery or alternator, so check to see if your diesel truck’s lights work to help rule out these two parts. If you’ve got lights but a dead engine, it’s a safe bet that the starter is the cause of the engine problem. Electricity going to the lights suggests that the alternator and battery are working just fine.
Burning Odors and Smoke
No matter how frustrating it is, it’s important that you stop trying to start your diesel engine if it won’t start. Continuing to force the issue will overheat the starter motor and you will end up with burning odors and smoke coming out from underneath the hood. No amount of trying is going to get your engine to start if the starter motor has died.
Oil All Over the Starter
Finally, you may end up with a dead starter motor before 100,000 miles if you have an oil leak above the starter. Anytime the starter gets saturated with the motor oil, it will malfunction and die.
United Diesel Repair in Flowery Branch, GA, would be happy to inspect your diesel truck’s starter. Call us today for an appointment.
