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How do you start a car with a bad starter?
Is there any way to start a car with a bad starter? I was late to work because my car's starter was broken. I got it fixed, but I was wondering if there's any way to get it moving in case this happens again.
Joshua Levy · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Being late because of unexpected car issues is the worst! If it happens again in the future, there are a few ways to start a car with a bad starter, though most of your options will require another person or a bit of know-how.
Here are some easy ways to get your car moving:
- Check the wires connecting your starter to your battery. If you notice any disconnected wires, carefully reattach them.
- Make sure there isn’t any corrosion around the battery or starter. If there is, wash it off with a mix of water and sodium bicarbonate before gently rinsing. *
- *Tap the starter with a hammer** while someone turns the key. This works because parts of the starter might work fine but have trouble getting started. Tapping the starter can give it the energy it needs to get in motion.
- Jumpstarting your car will get it moving, but it’s only a temporary solution. This option will only bypass the problem, so you’ll still need to get your starter checked out. While these options might help initially, none of them are permanent solutions.
If your car is having trouble getting started, it may be time to bring it to a mechanic. Unfortunately,
mechanical breakdown insurance (MBI)
is the only type of coverage for mechanical damage that didn’t result from an incident or accident.To find out more about MBI or your other coverage options, try
Jerry
. A licensed broker, the Jerry app will help you collect and compare quotes from top name-brand insurance companies for free! If you’d like, Jerry can even help you buy your new plan and cancel your old policy.
MORE: Why isn’t my car starting? A quick troubleshooting guide
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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