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Where do you hit a failing starter with a hammer to get it to start?
I have an older car and the starter is always failing. I don’t have the money to fix it right now, but I’ve heard that you can get a faulty starter going again by hitting it with a hammer? Where, what, and how hard do I need to hit to get this thing running? Or is that just a myth?
Patrick Price · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Oh no! I’m so sorry—there are few things as frustrating as a car that won’t start when you need it. In answer to your question, yes—there are select circumstances where hitting the right part of your engine with a hammer will get it to start. The solenoid is where you’ll need to hit with your trusty hammer to get things moving.
To be clear, this method is far from reliable, and whacking any part of your engine with a hammer can potentially cause damage.
This method only works if the starter (or rather the solenoid) is the issue and not a dead battery or something similar. Here’s what to do:
*Locate the solenoid—it’ll be a small cylinder in your engine
- Tap the solenoid with your hammer being careful not to hit it too hard
- As fast as you can, get back to the driver’s seat and start the ignition
If you’re fast and lucky enough, the engine will start right up!
If you’re looking for ways to cut back on your car’s expenses to get your starter fixed, consider downloading the
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