Inquiries about starter motors?

Question

My car's starter motor just needed to be replaced. I was given a WHOLE lot of lines by the person who worked at the dealership about it.

The age of the car, the mileage of the car, that it's a crap shoot when the starter motor stops, it could stop today, years from now, etc.

I don't know cars- could someone tell me a bit about staters and starter motors so that i can know what is right and what is bullsh** from a guy who thinks he can pull the wool over a lady's eyes.

(No, not man-bashing. But being a single woman out in the auto-world is not easy, and many guys feel you have "SUCKER" written on your forehead!)

it's a 2002 Saturn SL2 with about 36,000 miles.

No, not a new car- and if the starter goes out at this time (and appropriate time) then ok, I understand.

It's just when a person starts BSing you, or talking down to you- I start doubting anything they say.

Answer 1

Well, basically, it could happen at anytime for any number of reasons, but its not a real big concern, when it goes out, replace it. but typically, starters do last for quite a while, but I suggest that if you have to have it replaced anytime soon, buy a quality one, it will ensure that your starter will last a long time.

My first suggestion for you: Stop using the dealership. They charge WAY too much for labor and parts, and not going to them will NOT void any warranty you still have.

Out of curiosity, what year and make / model vehicle do you have?


ADDED:

Your starter should be just fine, for those Saturn cars I always heard there were not many problems with the starters. But, on a completely different note: My Sister-in-law just had a rebuild done on her transmission and she has the same vehicle you do. I spoke for a while with the guy who did the rebuild, and he said this was a common problem with the Staurn SL1 and SL2's. I'm not saying go get your transmission rebuilt, I'm just saying, if you are driving and your transmission shifts wrong or odd, the first time you feel it kick too hard or notice something not shift right, have it checked, the sooner the better and the cheeper it is. Anyway, your probably tired of reading this by now, so Good luck and feel free to ask us anytime if you have more questions about your car or replacing parts or repairs.

Answer 2

In some ways he (or she) was right. It is a kinda crap shoot. The next time you go to turn it on it may or may not work. That is true with most anything electrical/mechanical. I get this from customers all the time that can't seem to understand why their 20+ year old motorcycle radio all of a sudden doesn't work. In the short of it, The starter is just a high torque motor that is used to turn the motor over fast enough and long enough for it to start and run on it's own. The average life of a non-abused starter is some where around 10 to 15 years. I did say "non-abused". There are those that do abuse them and then wonder why they have premature failure.
The secret to the other part of your question is to "borrow" your girl friend's boy friend (if you don't have your own) and take him with you when ever you go looking for a mechanic, electrician, carpenter, or a plumber. That IS a mans world and unfortunately, that is kinda the way it is.

Having posted and read add. info.... it is my opinion that a 2002 should not need a starter yet, and not with only thirty k miles on it. I have a 92 Buick and a 94 Ford that still have the original starters, my 88 Camero just got one two years ago and my wife's 96 Tempo needed one this past fall.

Answer 3

The only thing that applies to starters dying is how many times the vehicle has been started. Its not that old of a car, i dont know if your the original owner, but just think how many times your vehicle has been started. It is true that a starter could go the day you install or 10 to 20 years down the road. Cheap starters will go quicker. A bad starter is an easy thing to diagnose and its very common, so the person you are dealing with is probably experienced with diagnosing, installing and even ordering new starters. Not all mechanics are out to steal money from customers, in fact I dont think I have ever met one and I have been in the industry for 6 years. Just take it to an honest business like pep boys, or sears, or somewhere reputable.

Answer 4

What do you need to know about the starter motor? Starter motors run on direct current (DC) that is what your battery provides. You turn the key, this energises the circuit, acitivates a solenoid, which allows the batter's power to start the starter motor which in turn starts your car. They usally last 10 years on average, a lot of times more. They only run while your car is being started, they sit dormit the rest of the time.

Does this help? it sounds like the motor was already replaced, so what info do you need?

Answer 5

So, I assume you just inquired about $ getting it replaced?

Starters have metal contact plates in them called brushes. Well they are just small squares of metal w/ springs behind them to push them onto the rotating part and over time they wear down to nothing and no electrical connection is made.

Instead of buying a new starter from dealer you can have brushes replaced or buy a refurbished (brushes already replaced) from autozone or advanced auto.

No bias here. Motorcycle mechanic chick. I'm tellin it like I see/know it.
: )

Answer 6

not all mechanics are crooks and out to get you. dealerships *usually* don't hire just anyone. most of them are factory trained and they know what they are doing. a starter is an electrical motor that spins the flywheel so the engine will rotate and start. when listing this type of question please let us know all the things that the mechanic told you. the year of the car, the mileage, the make and manufacturer. hope this helps a little....

Answer 7

well they are not guaranteed to last for any certain amount of time they can go out at random there are a couple good signsof it going bad though. if you have to turn your key more than two times before the engine starts turning over. or if when you turn the key you hear a click but nothing turns over in the engine. When you turn the key there is no click and nothing happens its more likely the starter solenoid than the actual starter.

hope this helps

Answer 8

oh - you're going to need a complete transmission overhaul, new tires, paint and some suspension work...

just kidding - i would suggest you ask if they checked your battery and cables. sometimes a car won't start just because of corrosion on the battery. starter motors can go out after 4-5 years on some cars - others will outlast the car. you can go to an autozone or someplace like that and they will test your battery for free.

Answer 9

the starter is quite complicated, but in simple words, it is a giant generator to give the engine enough charge to start in one big burst of energy. It does this by a coil of wires spinning in surrounding magnetic field. The starter does wear off due to the big surge of energy it has to sent through, but if you just change the starter, it shouldnt be affected by the age of the car.

Answer 10

36,000 is VERY quick for starter to go out.
Are you sure it was the starter they replaced?