If the starter engages but does not disengage when you let go of the key, the solenoid is likely bad and the starter may suffer significant damage as a result. Sometimes your car starts, sometimes it doesn't. Intermittent operation can be a sign of a failing starter solenoid.
If you hear no sound at all or the car doesn't start, this could be a sign of a faulty solenoid. Even if you do hear a strong click when listening for your solenoid, you will still want to continue in this process to be sure that everything is working accurately.
Generally, the most common reason a solenoid is “stuck” open or closed is because it loses power. If there's no power to the coil or if power is interrupted, the solenoid will cease functioning and remain in whatever position it was last in.
If the starter engages but does not disengage when you let go of the key, the solenoid is likely bad and the starter may suffer significant damage as a result. Sometimes your car starts, sometimes it doesn't. Intermittent operation can be a sign of a failing starter solenoid.
The starter solenoid is an electromagnetic switch that engages the starter motor. How can I tell if my starter solenoid is bad? If you're having trouble cranking the engine over but the battery is charged, or if your starter won't disengage after starting the engine, it's likely a starter solenoid issue.
When a solenoid is first energized, its coil receives a pulse of high inrush current that decreases as the plunger closes. If the plunger does not close, the high inrush current continues, which can cause the coil to overheat and burn out. This is the most common cause of solenoid failure and spotting it is easy.
Rusting, power failure, irregular pressure, missing equipment, an incorrect amount of voltage or current, dirt stuck in the system and corrosion are some of the possible reasons why a solenoid valve may not properly close or open.
Solenoids are critical car components since they allow your ignition system to reach the starter motor and, in turn, cause your car to turn on in the first place. Without a solenoid, turning your key wouldn't start your car at all.
The short answer is: Yes, it can. It could also drain the battery even faster if you repeatedly try to start your car with a faulty starter.
Solenoid coil failure can be caused by a number of factors. Applying an incorrect voltage to the coil will cause it to fail and may cause the coil to burn out. Electrical surges or spikes may also damage the coil. Burnt out coils cannot be repaired and will need to be replaced.
Solenoid issues may cause your vehicle to go into “limp mode,” a mode created to shield your engine and transmission from catastrophic failure and a severe accident. In Limp Mode, the entire vehicle will begin to grow weak in its power and the ability to accelerate.
In a typical combustion engine application, a starter solenoid may undergo approximately 30,000 actuations over a 15-year vehicle lifespan.
Shift Solenoid Repair and Replacement Cost
The overall cost to replace the shift solenoid in an automatic transmission ranges from $200 to $500 for a single solenoid. If the damage requires you to replace the entire solenoid pack the cost increases to between $250 and $700.
It might be a battery or alternator problem.
If the source of the clicking is electrical, the starter (a small motor energized by the battery that gets the engine running) doesn't have enough juice to stay powered. So instead, it rapidly turns on and off and produces a clicking noise!
The solenoid is working correctly if the test light turns on. If the light comes on but the starter doesn't, it indicates an issue with the starter and you may need a replacement. If there's no light at all, you likely have a bad starter solenoid. It may also be worth testing the battery to check for a voltage drop.
You should be able to count on the starter lasting at least 100,000 miles, if not for the entire life of the car. Unfortunately, extreme driving conditions and poor car maintenance can all create starting problems, especially if you drive a lot of miles during the year.
If you just hear a whirring sound like the starter motor is spinning without affecting the motor, then the solenoid is either broken, or there's a wiring issue on the starter itself. Options are: have the starter rebuilt, replace the whole thing, or see if you can track down the wiring issue on the starter.
One of the best ways to determine if a car fuse has blown is by using a test light. It should illuminate both ends of the fuse, and, if it doesn't, it needs to be replaced. Sometimes, a blown fuse is caused by a damaged wire, motor, or other part.