A starter is an electrical device that is used to rotate or crank an internal combustion engine to initiate the engine and make it start.
When the rotation function of the starter motor ceases to work, it shows that a clogging problem has occurred, and the vehicle will not start. A tap on the starter will release the clog and gives another attempt at starting the vehicle. So, how long will tapping the starter work?
Tapping the starter 4 to 5 times with a hammer or wench will start the car. If the car didn’t start, you can however give it a little more tap.
Can I Tap My starter To Make It Work?
Yes, you can tap your starter to make it work by using a tool such as a hammer or a wrench. Tapping the starter will make the brushes that got stuck become free and the motor will start.
A popular failure performance associated with starter motors occurs when the brushes cause wear on the coil rotating around where the brushes ride. This causes the motor to stiffen and not rotate.
In the situation where the motor stiffens and the starter does not work, the car will not start. And so, tapping on the case sometimes causes the brushes that got stuck to become free and the motor will start.
How Long Will Tapping The Starter Work?
There is no absolute time frame for the efficiency of tapping the starter. Tapping the starter will get it to work over a few times of doing so but it is not a good idea to keep on tapping the starter without fixing what is wrong with it.
Oftentimes, the problem with the starter is in the attached solenoid that had gotten worn down by the brushes in the starter motor. The solenoid receives the tapping through the starter case and simply fixing the solenoid by replacing it solves the problem.
Continuous tapping may prove to be effective. You can tap the starter today and get it to work and the following day it does not.
Tapping too hard can cause further damage, for instance, you could break a magnet in the starter and this could result in you needing a whole new starter and carrying the cost of getting one.
How Many Times Can You Tap Start a Starter?
Tapping the starter 3 to 5 times should make it work. You can still give it a little more tap. If the brushes, copper contacts, and the solenoid are not too damaged, the car should be able to start at the 5th tap. If the car did not start after several taps, you can tow the car to an auto shop for diagnostics and possible fix.
Tapping a starter to make it work can be seen as a temporary fix. You should have the car checked especially if you keep tapping the starter to start the car
Where Should You Tap The Starter To Make It Work?
Tapping the main body of the starter will do the trick while turning the key to start the vehicle at the same time. You can also tap on the solenoid body to start the car. Tapping the starter on plastic areas or fragile parts will do more damage to the starter.
Is My Starter Bad if I Have to Tap It?
Yes, if you have to tap the starter to make it work, then it means that the starter brushes are bad. However, if it was the solenoid body that you tapped before the car started, it means that the solenoid is bad. It can also be a bad wiring and wiring connections.
Pros Of Tapping The Starter
The advantages of tapping the starter are:
1. Free Stuck Brushes
When the brushes in the starter wear down the coil winding where they ride, the motor will not rotate. Sometimes tapping on the starter case causes the stuck brushes to shake free.
This will ensure proper contact between the brushes and the commutator, letting electricity flow and the motor will start.
2. Clog Release
The bent teeth of a flywheel ring gear could prevent the turning of the motor. A tap on the starter motor could release the clog and enable another attempt at starting the motor.
3. Fixes The Solenoid
The starter motor has a solenoid that engages the clogs before rotation and sometimes can have loose connections that can be restored by tapping the starter.
Being stranded is one of the most uncomfortable situations one can be in and having vehicle starting issues can be disappointing.
Tapping the starter can keep you from getting stranded a few times or for as long as the tapping keeps working.
Cons Of Tapping The Starter
Tapping the starter can also be harmful to the starter and in turn to yourself. While tapping the starter, it is advisable to not tap too hard to prevent causing further damage to the starter.
If you tap the starter too hard, a magnet in the starter could get broken and something else could even be further damaged and then the whole starter would have to be replaced.
You would have to bear the cost of buying a new starter to replace the old one that had gotten damaged.
Replacing a worn-out solenoid will cost even less than replacing the whole starter and will enable you to save more and spend less.
How Do I Make My Starter Work Temporarily?
To make your starter work temporarily, you should:
- Analyze The Solenoid: The solenoid can be faulty and be responsible for the bad starter and its effect on the vehicle. Check the solenoid and if you discover any rusting on it, you can make the starter work by connecting the cable from the battery to the location of the connection between the solenoid and the starter motor.
- Tap The Starter With A Harmer: Another way to make your starter work temporarily is by tapping the starter case with a harmer or a wrench. While tapping the starter, also switch the ignition of the car on, this makes tapping the starter work efficiently.
- Check The Connections: Another reason for a fault in the function of a starter could be loose and unsecured connections. Try to find out where there are loose connections, if the connection is loose, tighten the terminals of the battery to ensure that the connection between the battery and the starter is good enough.
- Examine The Engine For Corrosion: The cables and connectors of the battery and solenoid may be prone to corrosion as a result of a lack of proper caution.
The cables and connectors should be examined because corroded cables cannot conduct which in turn will prevent the starter from working.
Clean the terminals and connectors with a mixture of water and sodium bicarbonate, then rinse with hot water only. This will get rid of corrosion.
Final Thoughts
In general, tapping a starter will make it work, and if it does make it work, it does not fix the problem and the problem remains there. Hence, the starter needs to be properly repaired and if needed, replaced. Also, ensure to always check your vehicle connections and fastenings and take precautions where necessary.