how much to repair a starter

Starter Replacement Cost

• Labor costs are estimated between $112 and $141 while parts are priced between $307 and $410.
• This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific vehicle or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.
• This range is an average across all vehicles on the road. ...

Full Answer

How much does it cost to repair a starter?

The cost of rebuild parts for a starter can range from as little as $50 to as much as $350. A brand-new starter can range from $80 to over $350. For a qualified mechanic to replace or rebuild your starter, you can expect to pay between $150 and over $1,100.

How much does it cost to repair a car starter?

Here are the main parts of an automotive starter:

• Electromagnetic field coils or permanent magnets
• Armature and commutator
• Solenoid
• Shift fork
• Starter drive gear
• Brushes
• Bearings and bushings

How much does it cost to replace a starter motor?

The average cost to remove the starter and replace the starter motor is between $400.00 and $700.00 but this will depend on the model and make of your vehicle. Luxury brands can sometimes be more expensive owing to the rarity or speciality of the replacement parts required to complete the repair or service that you need.

How to diagnose and replace a starter?

There are several telltale signs that you could be in need of a car starter replacement, including:

• You hear a whining or grinding noise coming from the starter when you turn the ignition
• Smoke is coming from the starter/under the hood.
• The starter has oil all over it.
• The solenoid isn’t working properly.

How much should it cost to replace a starter?

A new starter may cost between $80 and $350, but you should also factor in labor costs which may cost between $150 to $1,000. For most vehicles, the complete starter replacement cost is around $500. It sounds like your mechanic is charging you the average fee for this service.

How much does it cost to fix a failed starter?

How Much a Starter Replacement Costs. The cost of rebuild parts for a starter can range from as little as $50 to as much as $350. A brand-new starter can range from $80 to over $350. For a qualified mechanic to replace or rebuild your starter, you can expect to pay between $150 and over $1,100.

How long does it take to fix a starter?

between 2 and 4 hoursYou can expect its replacement to take between 2 and 4 hours. Not all starter motors are easy to get to, which can add time to the process and further cost to your final bill.

What are the symptoms of a faulty starter?

Still, look for these seven symptoms that your starter is going bad.#1: Engine Won't Turn Over. ... #2: Noise - Clicking, Grinding, or Whirring. ... #3: Intermittent Issues Starting the Vehicle. ... #4: Starter Stays On After Starting. ... #5: Smoke. ... #6: Starter Engages But Motor Won't Start. ... #7: Battery.

Will AAA replace a starter?

Can AAA replace a starter? AAA offers a wide variety of services and can help with many types of service requests. In the event your starter no longer works, AAA can tow your vehicle to a repair location of your choice. Coverage limits depend on the level of your Membership.

Can I replace my starter myself?

You can buy a new starter, which is rather expensive, or you can buy a rebuilt starter, which is just as good as a new one [source: Allen]. If the problem is really your starter, save yourself a trip to the mechanic and replace it yourself.

Why does a starter motor fail?

CAUSES OF FAULTY STARTERS: CAUSE OF FAILURE A starter malfunction can have different causes: Electrical connections faulty. Solenoid switch (engaging relay) stiff or faulty. Electric motor damaged electrically.

How long does a starter last in a car?

On average, a starter motor lasts for 100,000-150,000 miles. In many cars, the starter motor lasts for the lifetime of the vehicle; however in some cars, it can fail prematurely.

Starter Repair Cost Comparison

The majority of garages will offer starter repair as a standard service, and we’ve collected some example prices for parts and labor from some of t...

Benefits of Car Starter Repair

Without a working starter, your vehicle will not turn on. If your starter begins to fail and only turns on occasionally, then you’ll have an unreli...

What Is Done During A Car Starter Replacement?

1. The mechanic is going to start by performing an inspection on the car, trying to determine what the actual problem is. Maybe the solenoid for th...

How to Save Money on A Car Starter

To reduce the cost to you for replacing a car starter or its parts, you can attempt to do the work on your own. The main thing to watch out for if...

How Much Does It Cost to Replace A Starter?

Below are some sample repair costs for some of the most widely-owned cars in the country. In general, you can expect to pay similar prices for the...

How many miles does a starter get out of a car?

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.

What to do if your car doesn't start?

If your vehicle doesn’t start, look for the obvious. Look at the battery and make sure the connections are tight and not corroded.

Why is it important to replace a starter?

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.

Where is the starter on a car?

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.

Does Copilot work with dealerships?

CoPilot is built using the same technology that dealerships use to buy and sell their inventories, so we have more info on each vehicle than competitors. CoPilot doesn’t work with dealerships, so there are no sponsored posts or other shady practices — just the most info on the best cars.

How to replace a starter on a car?

What Is Done during a Car Starter Replacement? 1 The mechanic is going to start by performing an inspection on the car, trying to determine what the actual problem is. Maybe the solenoid for the starter is at fault or maybe it is something that is disconnected that should not be. 2 In some cases, just cleaning the battery and starter components may be enough to solve the problem. That’s where your mechanic will likely start- by cleaning. 3 He will clean the battery and its connectors in an effort to make sure that those are not part of the problem. Even if the starter needs to be replaced, cleaning up the battery and its components will ensure that the new starter works better. 4 Once everything is cleaned, the mechanic will disconnect the starter from the battery and take out the part that is deemed to be at fault. Usually that’s the starter solenoid. 5 Once he has replaced the part that is perceived to be at fault, the mechanic will reconnect everything and test the car. 6 If it works, the mechanic’s work will be done, but otherwise, he will have to go back in there and keep trying to figure out which part is faulty.

What happens when you clean a starter?

Once everything is cleaned, the mechanic will disconnect the starter from the battery and take out the part that is deemed to be at fault. Usually that’s the starter solenoid. Once he has replaced the part that is perceived to be at fault, the mechanic will reconnect everything and test the car.

What is the purpose of a car starter?

The car starter is one of the components necessary to make your car turn on. It transfers power from the battery to the engine. When you turn the key and the ignition begins, the power from the battery goes through the starter and makes its way to the other components of the car that cause it to operate. If the starter isn’t working properly, your ...

Why does my car make a clicking noise when I start it?

What this can mean is that your battery power is low, some cables or wires are not connected properly or your solenoid is failing.

What happens if your starter isn't working?

If the starter isn’t working properly, your car won’t start and will essentially be unusable. Starter repair typically involves a simple replacement of the starter, as the component can be tricky to repair.

What happens if your starter fails?

If your starter begins to fail and only turns on occasionally, then you’ll have an unreliable car. While this isn’t a very large part of the car or a very expensive one, it is vital, and you want to make sure it is kept in good working order. If the starter fails, you won’t be able to go anywhere in your car.

How much does it cost to replace a starter?

Parts of the starter can wear down with repeated use and may need to be replaced. You’re looking at about $47-$220 for the labor costs on a car starter. It should take between one and two hours for the mechanic to change out the car starter for you.

How Much Does A Starter Replacement Cost?

A brand new starter could cost you around $50 – $350, while labor costs from a qualified mechanic could range between $150 – $1,100. In total, replacing a bad starter motor could amount to between $200 – $1450.

What Factors Affect The Starter Replacement Cost?

Starter motor replacement costs are usually affected by the year, make, and model of your car. Total labor costs could also vary based on where you’re located.

Closing Thoughts

If your car won’t start or makes unusual noises when you turn on the ignition switch, it could be a sign of starter failure. When this happens, consider getting a starter replacement or repair soon.

What happens when you turn your key?

When your turn your key the car battery sends power to the starter, and the motor in the starter kicks in. This motor will then turn the crankshaft, move the pistons and set the other components of the engine in motion, allowing these parts to move when the ignition system gets to work igniting the fuel.

Why is it important to have a starter?

Having a fully functional starter is essential in your car, as without it the engine won’t start and you won’t be able to drive the car at all. The starter is an electrical motor, and as a result it will almost definitely need replaced at some point during the life cycle of your car, so regular inspection is essential.

How much does it cost to replace a starter?

Replacing the starter costs between $172 and $955 to have the work done by a mechanic, while you can also buy a starter and do ...

Where is the starter located on a truck?

The majority of cars and trucks have the starter where the transmission and engine meet, usually on the underside of the vehicle. The rear wheels of the vehicle should be blocked, and the car set on jack stands which are high enough for the mechanic to crawl underneath.

Can you get a starter replacement quote online?

The majority of auto shops will offer starter replacement as one of their standard services, so there may be some deals or discounts to be found in your local area if you call around. You can get quotes online, in person or over the phone, so have a look around to see if you can get a reasonable quote for the work.

Is it expensive to replace a starter?

Replacing the starter is a fairly straightforward job, so it shouldn’t be too expensive for the labor involved to complete the work. It doesn’t require any specialist equipment other than a jack, which most car owners should have in their car or their own garage.

What happens if your car doesn't start?

If your car doesn’t start, and the battery test turns out good, then the car starter is the suspect over here. You will hear a clicking noise, but the engine won’t start. Basically, your car will refuse to start. As a result, you might repeatedly turn the ignition key but to no avail.

How to tell if your starter is bad?

Here are the five signs that will alert you of a bad car starter: 1 Clicking noise: When you turn the key, you will hear a clicking noise. For those who don’t know, a starter will never give up without making any noise at all. 2 Engine not firing: When you try to start the car, you will notice that only the dashboard board light will turn on, but the engine won’t fire up. 3 Overheating: If you make desperate attempts to start the car, the faulty starter can overheat, causing more issues in the process, such as overheating other electric parts. 4 Oil Leak: A bad starter can also lead to oil leaks. If the starter is soaked in engine oil, it could be a sign of a starter going bad.

What does a car technician do?

The car technician will inspect the car to determine the actual issue. Usually, he will inspect the car’s battery to see if it’s working fine. The chances are that a faulty battery may be causing the issue and not the starter. Sometimes, light tapping at the car’s starter with a hard object also helps.

What happens when you clean your car starter?

Once the cleaning is done, the ignition key will be turned to check whether or not the engine is firing as it should. If it’s determined that that the car starter is at fault, it’s usually the starter solenoid that’s at fault. The car technician will disconnect the car’s battery and take out the starter solenoid and replace it with a new one.

How long does a starter last?

A car starter usually lasts for 100,000 to 200,000 miles. In fact, a starter can last for a lifetime. This should tell you that there is no scheduled date for a car starter replacement. You can replace it whenever it begins to fail or suddenly stops working.

What does it mean when you turn the key on a starter?

Clicking noise: When you turn the key, you will hear a clicking noise. For those who don’t know, a starter will never give up without making any noise at all.

Can you misdiagnose a starter?

The key over here is that you don’t misdiagnose the issue. Keep in mind that the symptoms of a failed starter are pretty similar to other car issues. So, you might confuse other problems to be a car starter’s fault. Thus, a proper diagnosis is a must. Once a proper diagnosis is done, the rest is easy.

What is a starter drive gear?

There is a drive gear on the starter motor that meshes with the flywheel. Sometimes, the starter drive gears fail and sometimes, they damage the teeth of the flywheel. This is usually noticeable by either a noisy failure to start or extra noise when trying to start.

What happens when a starter fails?

As a starter needs a great deal of current to operate, when one begins to fail the most common thing to suspect is the battery that provides that current and then, the cables that transfer the current.

What is starter replacement?

A starter is essentially a strong electric motor that spins up the engine of a vehicle; allowing it to start its fuel-powered operation. It draws a great deal of current from the battery to turn the engine.

How much does it cost to replace a starter?

Some shops will do parts of this for free, but a comprehensive test is more commonly done at either a flat fee of $15 to $40 or at a labor charge of half an hour.

Can you remanufacture starters?

However, it is usually possible to find remanufactured starters as well and the prices are typically less. Starters are relatively simple electrically and easy to remanufacture as most of the internal parts aren’t subject to harmful wear. But, as with most things, the reliability of new parts is usually better.

Can a starter that draws too much current damage other parts?

In the best case, related parts are verified as good or known good parts substituted in order to diagnose a failing starter, but this isn’t always done. In any event, a starter that draws too much current (which is one way it can fail) can damage the other related parts.

Can labor rates vary?

For one, labor rates can differ significantly, depending on the auto shop you visit and its location. Also, as there can be a plethora of suppliers of auto parts, prices can vary greatly depending on the state they are in.

What happens when you turn the key on a starter motor?

Starter motor failure produces one common symptom across all makes and models: When you turn the key, the starter solenoid will click, but the engine will not rotate. You also might hear a whirring, or fast spinning noise when the key is turned.

What happens when you turn the ignition on?

When you turn the ignition to the start position, it sends an electrical charge to the solenoid, and allows battery power to move from the solenoid to the starter motor. This causes the starter motor to turn the engine's flywheel, forcing the crankshaft to turn until the engine begins running on its own.

How to start a car with a manual transmission?

If your car has a manual transmission, it is possible to start the car by turning the key to the "On" position, pressing in the clutch, pushing the car until it gets up to about 10 mph, and then releasing the clutch.

This Article Contains

How Much Does A Starter Replacement Cost?

• A brand new starter could cost you around $50 – $350, while labor costs from a qualified mechanic could range between $150 – $1,100. In total, replacing a bad starter motor could amount to between $200 – $1450. However, these figures could be lower if you’re able to identify car starter issues early. You could also save a lot by buying a rebuilt st...

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What Factors Affect The Starter Replacement Cost?

Closing Thoughts