Does your car struggle to start sometimes because the starter is failing? Should you attempt to drive if the car starter is showing signs of failure?
Are you worried that your car engine will stall when the starter dies?
If this is you then read on to find out what happens when your car’s starter fails as you drive (how it affects the car engine), whether can drive if the starter is faulty and what risks (if any) you are exposed to.
What Happens When a Car Starter Fails?
The car starter motor is responsible for cranking and turning over the car engine when the ignition key is turned to the START position.
If the starter is faulty (bad solenoid, damaged wire connections, worn pinion gear) then the car will struggle to start, make abnormal noises when starting, or not start altogether.
You may also be interested in this post: Car starter stays engaged: 6 Answers your need to know
Will the Car engine die?
The car engine will not die should the car starter fail when the car engine is already running. The car starter does not play any more role in the continued running of the engine once it has successfully started the car.
Should you switch off the engine however then your car will struggle to start or not start at all if depending on the nature of the problem with your starter.
Can a Car starter Fail as the Car engine is Running?
Yes, it is possible though it will likely go unnoticed as the starter plays no role once the car engine has started.
Most if not all starter problems are observed when the starter is required – when starting the car engine.
You may be interested in this post: Why your car starter may be drawing excessive current
What Causes the Car engine to Die?
One of the possible and more likely reasons why your car engine can die as you drive, certainly one you should check out first is the loss of electrical power to the car’s electrical system which is usually caused by a faulty alternator, battery, or loose or damaged wire connections.
The starter is not required when the car engine is starting and if faulty the car will struggle to start or not start at all and not lead to the car engine dying when running.
Closing Thoughts
A faulty car starter motor affects your car’s ability to start. Should the car engine die as you’re driving, it’s probably because there’s a loss of power for the car’s electrical system.
Test the car battery, and alternator, and confirm the wire connections are clean, make firm contact and that there’s no damage to them.
