Gainesville Auto Repair

When your car will not crank, it is easy to blame the battery. Sometimes that is right, but a fading starter motor can produce similar headaches. The trick is to notice how the car behaves in those first seconds when you turn the key or press Start. Those small clues point you in the right direction and save time during diagnosis. How the Starting System Works Three main parts get the engine turning: the battery, the starter motor with its solenoid, and the cables that carry current between them. The battery provides the burst of energy, the solenoid engages the starter gear with the flywheel, and the motor spins the engine fast enough to catch. If any link in that chain drops voltage or cannot handle load, cranking slows or never happens. Classic Signs of a Weak or Failing Battery Batteries fade with age, heat, and deep discharges. Common signs include slow, labored cranking that improves after a jump. Interior lights may dim sharply when you try ... read more