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My starter is not cranking the engine over?

Tiny
AJANEM
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 KIA RIO
  • 1.2L
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 65,000 MILES
My vehicle has been having an ongoing problem with starting. For about two weeks, it randomly would not start and would only make a click noise (not continuous, just one). After a few tries and giving it a couple minutes, I could get it to start. Then last week, I went to start it and it did not start. I did what I had previously done and tried a few times and let it sit for a few minutes but it was just not starting, only would click when I turned the key. All of the lights, radio, etc, worked. I tried to jump it, and that did not work either, so I figured it was the starter. I tried about every other day for the past six days to start it and the same thing. Today I went to start it and it started right up. I immediately took it to the auto store and they tested the battery, alternator and starter, which all came back in good condition. The bolt connecting the battery was a little loose so we tightened it and he said that could have been the cause of it all. Tonight, I went to start it and to happened again. Not starting just one click. I let it sit and tried it twice more and got it to start. The check engine light is not on.
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Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 AT 10:26 PM

31 Replies

Tiny
JIS001
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,408 POSTS
It does sound like a faulty starter. Here is a link on how a starter works and how to do some basic checks:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-a-starter-and-solenoid-works

It sounds like the battery is weak or the starter has gone out but to be sure lets check out these guides, they can help us fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

When doing the basic tests if the engine cranks over then it is good. You need to check the signal at the starter solenoid when it clicks. But by what you are describing it does sound like your starter is intermittently failing.

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Wednesday, March 27th, 2019 AT 10:53 PM
Tiny
AHOFFE42
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
It was the starter motor. The guides helped. Thank you.
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:06 PM
Tiny
ENK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2010 KIA RIO
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 155,000 MILES
This occurred yesterday after I inadvertently stalled the car by placing it in third gear instead of first. It started up okay, made a delivery okay with normal shut down and start up, but once I returned to my workplace it wouldn't start. I was able to pop the clutch but the overheat indicator was on, car has oil and coolant. Once I got it home it didn't start again. It cranks weakly and I think I can hear the spark plugs firing. T has a new battery and alternator already.
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ENK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Edit: just discovered this. Smoke also emitted from the fuse box once the key was turned but didn't find anything burnt in there.
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,878 POSTS
Opps, something has shorted out burning the wiring up. lets check for 12 volts at the battery and lets test the fuses to see if any are blown. here are guides that will help us get started and fuse panel diagrams below:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what you find.
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:06 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LOU20
  • MEMBER
  • 82 POSTS
  • 2008 KIA RIO
  • 100,000 MILES
Put a new battery and starter and it still does not want to start start. When I try starting it the brake lights and windshield wipers comes on.
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

I need to better understand what is happening. When you turn the key to the start position, the wipers and brake lights turn on? Is that correct? Also, did the problem start all at once or were there any symptoms you may have noticed before this happened? Finally, does the starter engage at all?

I attached a pic below of the under hood power distribution box. I highlighted two fuses I need you to check.

Here are a few links that you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LOU20
  • MEMBER
  • 82 POSTS
I went to the store my car started with no problem. I went back to my car to leave it didn't want to start. A guy gave me a boost then it started. So I went and bought a new battery still didn't start, so I got a brand new starter still did not start. But every time I touch one of the battery post the brake lights comes on. When I go to crank the car I does nothing and the windshield wipers comes on and the switch is to off.
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Welcome back:

At this point, it sounds like there is a wiring issue within the fuse box or ignition switch. The only thing I can say is try to check for wiring issues around and under the fuse box itself. Something is shorted to power for the wipers and brake lights to come on.

I wish I had a better answer, but this is one that is going to require tracing wires between (I believe) the power distribution box and the ignition switch.

An interesting test would be to remove the fuse for the wipers and brake lights and see if they still turn on. If they do, then as mentioned, there is a short to power and they are getting power from a different source.

Let me know if I can help.

Joe
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LOU20
  • MEMBER
  • 82 POSTS
I change two fuse now the car starts. I bought a new battery and installed now the battery light coming on the dashboard and my A/C not working.
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Welcome back:

Are the wipers still turning on? Also, have you checked all fuses? When you say the AC isn't working, do you mean the blower motor in the vehicle?

Here is a link that shows how to check an alternator. Since the battery light is now on, see if the alternator is working.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Let me know.

Joe
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LOU20
  • MEMBER
  • 82 POSTS
The windshield wipers is no longer turning on by itself. I don't know what a blower motors is but the A/C is not blowing. Haven't check all the fuses. Do you think it could be the alternator since the battery light coming on with a new battery being installed?
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DRAGON2711
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 KIA RIO
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 120,350 MILES
When starting up I can hear the engine compressing then suddenly only hear something spinning and engine not turning over. It takes a few tries to start. The timing belt is due, but cannot fix it until this weekend.
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,738 POSTS
What you are describing sounds like the starter's drive assembly is failing. That has a one-way "over-running clutch" that lets the gear spin real fast when the engine starts, without forcing the starter's armature to spin too fast and fly apart. The over-running clutch has to lock up to let the starter spin the engine. Once the engine picks up cranking speed, the stress on the clutch is reduced, and that can let it slip, or unlock, then the starter motor spins freely without turning the engine. That will get progressively worse, and the problem can actually become worse when a larger battery charger is connected.

The solution is to replace the starter drive gear assembly, but due to the time involved, almost everyone just replaces the starter.
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Welcome back:

If that light is on, under normal conditions it is related to the alternator. So that needs checked. As far as a blower motor, that is the fan that pushes air into the vehicle. Is that working but the air not getting cold?

Let me know if I can help.

Joe
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LOU20
  • MEMBER
  • 82 POSTS
My A/C was working before I change the battery. I don't feel no air coming from the vent.
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Welcome back:

That is the blower motor. Under the hood is the blower motor relay. It is in the fuse/relay box. Remove it and if there is another relay with the same part number, switch them to see if that makes a difference.

If it doesn't, let me know. Power supplied to the relay is via what is called a fusible link and not a traditional fuse. See pic 1.

Here is are a few links you may find helpful:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LOU20
  • MEMBER
  • 82 POSTS
Thanks will check. One more quick question is their fuse for the battery?
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,170 POSTS
Welcome back:

I attached a pic of the under hood fuse/relay box and highlighted the main fuse and two other battery fuses.

Let me know what you find.
'
Joe
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LOU20
  • MEMBER
  • 82 POSTS
Is it possible it could be the battery fuses causing the battery light to come on and the fuse for the blower motor causing my A/C not to blow? Do I still need to check the alternator?
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 12:07 PM (Merged)

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