+PROBLEMS STARTING? DON'T OVER-CRANK YOUR STARTER!

The starter is an electrical motor designed to crank over the engine to initiate the combustion process to make the engine run. The starter has a gear with an overrunning clutch so that when the engine starts it does not spin the starter too fast thereby destroying the internal components of the starter motor. Starting motors also can be damaged by overheating due to excessive cranking. A good rule of thumb is to crank for only thirty seconds at a time. If the engine has not started, allow two minutes for the starter to cool before cranking again.

+...AND DON'T USE THAT HAMMER!

The newer generation starters are now incorporating permanent magnets which replace the copper wire winding therefore reducing the weight of the starter. Most of these types of starts are of a gear reduction type and have excellent cranking power. The ceramic magnets used in these starters are bonded to the field case of the starter and SHARP IMPACTS, such as striking with a hammer, will destroy the magnets rendering the starter completely useless. So if you have a newer type car and you are having starting problems, think again before you get out the hammer.