24/7 mobile service · Riverside
Turn the key, hear one click, nothing else? Likely the starter.
We confirm the starter is actually the problem before replacing it. A bad connection or weak battery can look like a dead starter, and we don't want you paying for the wrong part.
Sounds like this?
Signs it's time to call
- A single loud click and no crank
- Grinding or whirring when you turn the key
- It starts on the third or fourth try
- Lights and radio work fine, engine won't turn over
- Tapping the starter used to work
What we measure
Voltage drop- Tests the cables and grounds between battery and starter
Start signal- Confirms the key or push-button is reaching the starter
Battery load- Rules out a weak battery first
Starter draw- Shows whether the starter itself has failed
The visit
What happens when we arrive
- Rule out the battery and cable connections
- Confirm the starter is receiving power and the start signal
- Quote the replacement before any work starts
- Replace the starter and test multiple start cycles
When it's a shop job
On some engines the starter sits under the intake manifold or needs the car on a lift. If yours is one of those, we'll tell you on the phone and point you to a shop rather than waste a trip.
Questions people ask
Can a starter be replaced in my driveway?
On most cars and trucks, yes. A few designs bury the starter deep in the engine. Give us your year, make, and model and we'll tell you.
Is it the starter or the ignition switch?
If the dash lights come on but nothing reaches the starter, the problem can be upstream. Our testing finds which one.
How long does it take?
Usually one to three hours on site, depending on access.