Car Makes Whirring Noise But Won’t Start: Is It Caused By Starter Problem?

It might be troublesome when a car makes whirring noise but won’t start. Concern should be expressed about any new sounds.

Whirring noises can indicate various issues and frequently change depending on how quickly or slowly the engine is running. With us, you can learn the solution right away.

Reasons For Car Makes Whirring Noise But Won’t Start

car makes whirring noise but won't start
Car Makes Whirring Noise But Won’t Start

When a car doesn’t start, the whirring can change depending on how quickly or slowly the engine is running.

These can signal mechanical issues such as a faulty fuel pump, ignition switch, faulty starter, weak battery, or damaged timing belt.

Bad Starter Issues

The car’s starter motor is whirring because it isn’t getting enough alternating current.

It shows that the electrical system reaches the starter but is insufficient to turn and engage your car’s wheel.

The starting is simply spinning without any resistance since the drive gear on the starter cannot move out.

The bendix of the beginning electric motor isn’t forcing the starter gear to mesh with the ring gear of the car, causing the starter motor to spin ineffectively.

The bendix drive on the Stater is worn out. These objects can sometimes become loose, and when they do, they may make a momentary noise like a spoon stuck in a garbage disposal.

Bad Battery

Your battery may seem a little sick if your automobile produces whirring noises but won’t start. Alternatively, the solenoid on the starter motor could be stuck.

The starter solenoid is most likely what is making the noise you are hearing. If you repeatedly hear loud buzzing, your dead car battery probably needs a jump start from another vehicle.

It’s a safe bet that your battery fails if you can borrow a portable charger from someone and the car starts immediately.

Any major, respectable vehicle repair shop can test your battery. Your starter motor’s solenoid may become stuck if the battery is healthy.

Broken Timing Belt

The timing belt guarantees that the crankshaft and camshaft operate in perfect time, making it a crucial part of your car’s engine. Without a timing belt, your vehicle cannot run in any way.

There may be a whirring sound when trying to start a car when the belt is beginning to wear out.

Several meanings could be attached to this sound. In either case, disaster could follow if you don’t check your engine out immediately.

When you turn the ignition key, you discover the timing belt is also broken. The starter whirring noise will appear, but the engine won’t turn over because there isn’t a belt to turn the crankshaft.

How To Fix This Issue

starter makes whirring noise
Way To Repair When Car Makes Whirring Noise But Won’t Start

Check The Alternator

When an alternator fails, the battery voltage will be depleted, causing the ignition lights to turn on briefly before going out and the starter to malfunction—possibly turning slowly or with merely a whirring sound when starting a car.

Try again after charging the batteries with a mains charger; it should run long enough to transport you to a place where the alternator can be identified and fixed.

Try using jump leads and running the donor car’s engine while connected for a few minutes. Instead, to examine your charging system, get a voltmeter.

Additional issues, such as corroded connections at various locations, typically battery issues (dead battery, flat battery, etc.), battery corrosion, or a bad starter motor, can appear similar to a failing alternator.

Check The Starter Relay

If it doesn’t flip over, the bad starter relay connected to it may occasionally malfunction.

Find a fully charged, functional battery before you start the tests. Alternatively, check the battery charge to ensure it is at 12V and isn’t the problem.

After examining the automobile battery cables, turn off the engine bay to prevent movement while working.

You can use a bug light, a tool resembling an ice pick with a lead that extends from the handle with an alligator clip and a 12-volt bulb inside.

Ground the alligator clip, then check the fuse box on both sides. Power application should cause both sides to get warm.

Check The Wire To The Engine Ground

After checking the starter relay and the cabling to the engine ground and starter, proceed to the next step if the car still doesn’t start with a known-good battery.

At this point, you can attempt starting the engine again by using a jumper cable and clamping one end to the battery earth and the other end to the engine while making sure the line is free of all pulleys.

You have a problem with the ground wire connecting the battery to the engine even if it tries to start but fails. There will need to be a new one.

Take The Car To A Mechanic 

You’ll probably need to take the automobile to a mechanic to find a permanent solution if none of those methods work.

Other sections that might be the problem include a number that is difficult to access and take some experience to know what to check for.

FAQs

buzzing sound when turning key in ignition
Question Of This Problem

What Does Whirring Noise In A Car Mean?

Whirring noises can indicate various electrical issues and frequently change depending on how quickly or slowly the engine is running.

The automatic transmission is another noise source; the torque converter and its internal fluid pump have a whirling sound. Another typical cause of whirring sounds is power steering pumps.

Why Is My Car Making A Whirring Noise At Idle?

If your automobile makes whirring noises while idle, you either have an oil leak and run low on oil, or your valves are jammed and need adjustment.

The remedy in this situation is to check and refill your hydration levels.

Does An Alternator Make A Whirring Noise?

Indeed, it is the answer. A modern car’s alternator has components that spin quickly. The alternator’s internal special bearings are built to enable silent, sputter-free operation.

Unfortunately, these bearings may start to deteriorate over time. It may eventually result in new whirring sounds coming from your alternator.

Conclusion

Now it is possible to fix the issue where the car makes whirring noises but won’t start.

The most common cause of the whirring noise when starting a car is the starter, but numerous other potential reasons exist. To learn more, you should bring your vehicle to a specialist.

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