How Much Does It Cost To Fix a Starter?
Photo by Nina Mercado on Unsplash
Starter problems happen. It’s not the end of the line for your vehicle and it’s not an extremely expensive repair to have done. And more good news, if you want to skip labor costs, you could possibly change one yourself.
So if you run into this problem, this article will explain everything you need to know about, “how much does it cost to fix a starter?”
Deciding if Your Problem is Your Starter
It has happened to me and every other mechanic/technician that has worked on vehicles. We figure out what the problem is and fix it only to find out that wasn’t the problem. That usually happens while you’re are still in the learning phases of becoming a mechanic/technician, because that issue not only costs time but also money.
If your vehicle doesn’t start, look for the obvious. Look at the battery and make sure the connections are tight and not corroded. Also, make sure that the battery is supplying enough power. If you turn your key to the on position and nothing works or they work a little like the power windows moving slow or dome lights are dim, your battery is most likely the culprit.
But if everything is fine and the only thing that doesn’t work is the engine won’t turn over, then you are most likely looking at a starter problem.
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Starter Problem Symtpoms
● Everything turns on but the engine doesn’t turn over.
● Grinding noise when you start your vehicle. Even if it starts, it needs to be checked out.
● A whirling or fast spinning noise when you turn the key. (get it checked out)
● There’s a clicking noise but the engine doesn’t turn over. (electrical)
● You see smoke after multiple failed attempts. (electrical)
Reasons for Starter Failure
There are a few different reasons why a starter will fail, but they all come down to just about one main reason, they work hard throughout their lifetime and eventually they die.
The starter uses the most electrical current than any other component in the vehicle’s electrical system, and they are used every time you start your vehicle up. If you have a vehicle with start-stop capabilities, that is just that much more your starter gets worked.
In most vehicles, you will get about 75,000 miles out of your starter. The time that you get with a replaced started usually diminishes each time a new one is installed.
Pricing for a New Starter
If you drive a common vehicle, then not only will finding the correct starter for your vehicle be fairly easy, but pricing will be fairly reasonable as well. Any chip off the old block auto parts store like AutoZone, O’Reilly’s, or RockAuto.com will most likely have the correct starter for your vehicle in stock.
Expect to pay about $150-$200 for small normal-sized vehicles, about $300 - $350 for crossovers or pickup trucks, and about $600+ for heavy-duty vehicles or vehicles with larger engines.
How much does it cost to fix a starter? About $110 - $250 in labor cost alone, that is if it is re-buildable.
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Repair or Replace a Starter?
This question doesn’t even come up that often. Starters are not that much for a common vehicle, and for a mechanic to repair a starter, you will probably end up paying about the same price or more to have a starter repaired. So the best way to go in this situation will always be, Just Have It Replaced.
Saving Money on a Starter Replacement
A starter for your vehicle is not a hard part to replace, you don’t even have to be that educated on automobile repair to replace one yourself. CoPolit usually suggests for novice to seek professional help when it comes to auto part replacements, but we believe if you have the tools and know righty-tighty - lefty-lossy, you can pull this off.
If you don’t have the tools for the project, a lot of parts stores like AutoZone will loan their tools out for a do-it-yourselfer. We suggest you watch a few quick YouTube videos on how to change a starter on your specific vehicle and you should be on your way.
The starter is usually right underneath the vehicle on the outside of the engine. They are not always the super easiest to get to, but there are only usually 2-4 bolts that have to be removed and the starter will come down with a little bit of navigating and wiggling.
Important: Before you start any work on any auto repairs, always discontent the battery. Especially, with this project because the battery supplies direct power to the starter.
When you have unbolted the starter and all of the power connections, you want to clean up any dirty connection you have both on the battery end and the starter end. Then bolt the starter back in place the same way the old one came out, including all power wires.
Next, clamp your battery connections back onto the battery, and you should be good to go. If you don’t run into any problems, this shouldn’t take you more than an hour - an hour and a half if you take your time - which is recommended.
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The Importance of Having Your Starter Replaced
The importance of having your starter replaced is your vehicle won’t start without it. If you even think that it might be time to have the starter checked out due to funky activity while starting, then you need to have it checked out and replaced if necessary.
The starter is one of those parts where “how much does it cost to fix a starter?” shouldn’t be a question you ponder whether to do it or not. One day it’s going to go and you are going to need to replace it regardless. If your mechanic/technician recommends it, I would trust them.
Most likely your starter won’t go when you’re close to home or a mechanic shop, it will go at the worst time and place possible.
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