Starter Repair Service Video

The starter is a small electric motor that spins the engine fast enough for combustion to take over. When you turn the key or press the button, the solenoid engages a pinion gear with the engine’s flywheel. It then sends high current from the battery into the motor.

This video walks through where the starter sits on the engine and what the solenoid does the instant you crank. The pinion then retracts once the engine catches. It also shows the wiring path from the battery, since a corroded cable or loose ground can mimic a failing starter.

A worn starter rarely dies all at once. You might hear a single loud click with no crank, or a grinding whir as the pinion fails to mesh. Slow, lazy cranking that gets worse on cold mornings is another sign.

Intermittent no-starts after a hot shutdown often point to a heat-soaked solenoid rather than the battery.

A proper inspection measures battery voltage under load and 

checks voltage drop across the cables and ground straps. It also tests current draw at the starter itself, so a tired battery is not mistaken for a failing motor. When testing confirms the component, our starter repair service handles the full replacement or solenoid work.

Short winter trips around Moses Lake and Ephrata keep the battery undercharged. That forces the starter to pull higher current on each crank, wearing the brushes and solenoid contacts faster than normal.

If your engine is slow to crank or clicking without starting, call Affordable Automotive Services at (509) 764-0000 or visit your auto repair in Moses Lake shop to schedule an inspection.