Mobile Starter Replacement at Home or Office

Start Replacement Service near Iowa City:  A mobile Starter Replacement is something that needs to be corrected as soon as an error is identified, even if getting to a mechanic isn’t possible because you are at your home or office.

The starter is essential in getting your vehicle’s engine to start. Your starter is energized when you twist your key in the ignition. Energizing your starter causes air flow in your engine, which allows for combustion to occur. A vehicle without a working starter will not be drivable because you will not be able to turn on the engine.

This is an issue that needs to be fixed before it becomes a problem. Lucky for you, this is easy to do with Mobile Auto Truck Repair Iowa City! Mobile Auto Truck Repair Iowa City allows you to book our mobile mechanics. If you decide to do this, the mechanics will come to you, even if you are stuck at your home or office! These mechanics allow Mobile Auto Truck Repair Iowa City to offer quality starter replacement services as long as you are located in our service area.

Our starter system service and repair issues include:

• alternator replacement
• starter replacement
• battery replacement
• repairing electrical shorts and drains
• power door lock and window diagnostics and repair
• fixing vehicle lighting issues

Car Starter System Issues

Start Replacement Service near Iowa City:  Car starter issues come up suddenly and for several reasons. It could mean corroded terminals or loose connections.

A damaged starter system will start exhibiting problems, and you will definitely notice, for it will become difficult or impossible to start your car. And a repeated turning of the ignition key in the hopes of starting your car will only create more problems.

Thankfully, car starter system problems occur in the usual places, which you can check. These are six troubleshooting tips to help you start your engine.

Check the Battery Voltage

• Find out whether you have enough juice to operate the starter motor. You do this by using a voltmeter. With this device, you can measure the amount of voltage in your battery.
• Set the voltmeter to 20 volts on the DC voltage scale.
• Turn on the meter. Connect the test leads across the battery terminals. Touch the negative lead to the negative post, and same with the positive lead to the positive post.
• Then, switch on your headlights.
• Check the display on the meter. Your battery should have between 12.4V, which constitutes a 75% charge and 12.6V, which is a 100% charge. This is what’s required to operate the starter motor.
• If you get a reading of less than 12.4V, you need to recharge the battery.
• If your battery is 3 to 4 years old, it’s best to run a hydrometer-check on your battery. Through this, you will determine the health of your battery and find out if any cells have failed.

Inspect Cables and Wires

Start Replacement Service near Iowa City: Any corrosion prevents electrical flow. If you haven’t been paying any attention to your battery or starter system, chances are, you’ve got corrosion.

A layer of corrosion on battery terminals should be dealt with by cleaning. Luckily, you can do so using a mixture of baking soda and warm water.

• Mix 8 ounces of warm water for 1 tablespoon of baking soda in a small container.
• Thoroughly mix the solution.
• Disconnect the terminals from the battery and apply the solution to the terminals and battery posts using a soft brush.
• Clean the battery top with the solution, carefully making sure that the solution doesn’t get under the filler caps.
• Check the electrolyte level. The electrolyte levels should be at the bottom of the filler rings. You may add distilled water to bring it to the correct level.
• Check the battery tray where the battery sits. Clean if necessary.
• Reconnect the terminals. Restart the engine.

Inspect the Starter Solenoid

The starter solenoid is a small cylinder on top of the starter. The positive battery cable connects to the solenoid. If this fails, the car will not start.

If you can’t find this, refer to your manufacturer’s manual.

• To check the solenoid, make sure to disable the starting system. You don’t want the engine to start while checking the solenoid. Therefore, disconnect the thick wire from the distributor cap. You can also do this by removing the fuel pump fuse.
• Ground the wire you disconnected from the distributor to a bolt with a jumper wire.
• Ask someone else to start the engine. Listen for sounds coming from the solenoid.
• If you hear clicking sounds, it means the electrical current is reaching the solenoid. It means it’s properly working. If you hear a weak sound, check the wires connected to the solenoid or starter relay.
• Also check for problematic wires. If they are loose or broken or disconnected, they will prevent the electrical current from reaching the motor. If the wires are in excellent condition, then the starter motor, solenoid or relay may have failed.

Check the Starter Motor

Start Replacement Service near Iowa City:  To check your starter motor, you need to lift the hood of your car to reach it. Depending on the make of your car, it varies.

• Make sure the bolts are tight on the starter mounting. Loose bolts will prevent the starter drive from engaging the flywheel, and you will hear a grinding noise when you try to start the engine. This happens because the ring gear on the flywheel and the pinion gear on the starter will clash.
• If the mounting bolts are tight, take out the starter motor and check the pinion gear. Check the condition of the teeth on the pinion gear – signs of wear or damage will prevent the starting of the engine.
• Using a screwdriver, try to see if you can rotate the gear in both directions. The gear should only rotate in one direction. If it moves both ways or refuses to move at all, it’s time to replace the starter.

Inspect the Engine Flywheel

Start Replacement Service near Iowa City:  Now that your starter motor is out, check the flywheel too. It is the large, heavy wheel between the engine and transmission. This is what the pinion gear engages to start the engine.

• Set your transmission to Neutral.
• Have someone else rotate the crankshaft at the front and bottom of the engine block with the use of a ratchet and a socket. Depending on your car, you may need to remove a wheel to access it.
• Observe the flywheel as it rotates. Check that the teeth are in good condition. Damaged or missing teeth will prevent the starter motor from cranking the engine. Missing or damaged teeth prevent the starter motor from cranking the engine.