The solenoid starter is a switch that transfers power from the battery to the starter motor, which helps to start the vehicle. When the starter wears out, you cannot start your car.
It is impossible to start your vehicle if the starter is damaged; you need to start the car once to drive it to the mechanics.
Jump starting your vehicle can be an exhausting process. But you need to do it.
The starter solenoid is located on top of the starter motor.
You can easily trace the location of the solenoid using the positive terminal of the battery. It is usually attached to the red cable of the car battery.
Here are a few things you need to check before you jump start the solenoid
Check the battery
Checking your car battery is one of the most important things you need to check before you start jumping the starter. You need to ensure the car battery can supply enough current that is required to turn your engine.
Even if your car’s starter is not working, you need to have a good and strong battery to start the engine.
Check the starter solenoid.
It is always recommended to test the starter and make sure enough power is transmitted from your battery. This step is an optional one, but it is recommended that you do not skip it.
How to jump a starter?
Jumping a starer can be a tedious and dangerous process. Before trying it, you can get the starter electrocuted or destroy the starter.
Before you start jump-starting, you need a long screwdriver with a rubber handle or a screwdriver with a long steel rod and an insulated handle and a person who can assist you in the process.
Note: If the solenoid comes out, you cannot start your car. So do this process only when you need your car.
Step 1- Find the starter solenoid:
Open the hood and start location your car’s starter solenoid. You can find the starter near the battery.
Step 2- Touch the metal end of the starter:
Once you have found the starter solenoid, take a screwdriver and touch the post’s metal end that leads to the starter. Once you find it, turn the screwdriver in a manual switch. This step will help to bypass the solenoid of the starter.
Step 3- Try to start the vehicle:
Drop the other end of the screwdriver down, and make sure you touch both the terminals on the solenoid. Ask someone for assistance and ask them to turn the ignition to make sure the vehicle starts at the same time.
Note: While you are jumping the starter, there will a lot of electric sparks. So it is recommended to use a rubber screwdriver and do not touch the wires.
Step 4- It is working:
Remove the screwdriver. You should be done by now. The car should be running without any disturbance. If you are still not able to turn the vehicle on, do not repeat the process.
Note: Ensure you do not leave the screwdriver in the starter, it can have a reverse and bad effect on jumping the starter process.
Takeaway
A starter solenoid is an important part of a vehicle. You will find the starter solenoid above the motor. It passes current to the starter motor which in return starts the engine. Starter solenoid functions are similar to that of a transistor. It uses an electromagnetic solenoid.
Jumping your starter can be dangerous. It is recommended that you do it carefully or give it to a mechanic because they are professionals in performing these tasks.
If you are doing it all by yourself, make sure you do not repeat the process again, i.e., it should be done only once.
If you choose to change the starter, check for the quality, and make sure it works well for you and your car.