How do you diagnose an automotive solenoid, battery, or starter problem?

Answer 1

for a bad starter when u turn the key it will go click, click, click,this means the that it is missing so it will turn over, how do i know, its happended lots of times to me, as far as batteriess go, if your car is running and u have someone pull it out, the car should still be running, it might also be the alternator

Answer 2

1. Connect a set of jumper cables to the car. If it starts easily after a little charge it is the battery. Make sure you have good cable connection.

2. If it continues to click or makes no sound take a hammer or ratch and lie down and wap the starter a few times. It's grown starter it can take a few light wacks. The try it if it does not start, the starter is bad and has a dead spot on the communtator.

3. If nothting happens after tapping it's probably the solenoid. Or is produces a "zinnnng" sound it's likely the solenoid.

4. On other thing you should know is that most starters have a fused link wire, that is intended to melt and save the starter in the case of over amperage. So you may want to visually inspect the starter wires for a break.

All that said if you don't do this stuff often you may want to have pro look at it. They can tell in 10 minutes if it's the starter.

But before I did anything I would do as above suggests and make sure you have good power.

Answer 3

If your lights and horn work, your battery is good, but it could be low. If when you try to start the car and it whirs, it may me drained.. If nothing works , charge or replace the battery. Check for corroded wires at the battery and at the starter for the positive and check the negative wire for a good ground. If not. Bang the starter a few times with a hammer , sometimes the bendix gets stuck if not started for a long time When you take out the starter, take it to auto zone and they will do a load test. They'll be able to tell you if it's the starter or solenoid. Watch when they do the load test to see if the starter engages. If it does, it's your solenoid. Of course they'll try to sell you the whole starter.

Answer 4

You need to go to a repair shop to have the battery load tested 1st. This is the starting point you need. Once you know if the battery is good, then you check the cables for corrosion at the grounds to the engine and battery. next, if you get just a clicking noise at the starter and the grounds are good you can apply power to the starter directly , if the starter engages, then it is good and the fault may be at the starter solenoid. Your local garage can pinpoint this for you in a matter of minutes.