How do you tell if your battery or your starter is bad?

Answer 1

The easiest way is to take it to a parts store where most of them will check them out free. It also helps if we know what kind of car you have. GoodluckJoe

turn your head lights on and try to start it if the headlights go out its more than likely your battery if they stay bright or barely dim its your starter

try the lights, do they turn on? if yes, then it probably isn't the battery. if its the starter motor, you should hear a loud clicking sound from the engine when you turn the key in the ignition. if this is the problem, turn the car off, open the door, stand on the sill at the side of the car while holding the edge of the roof and rock the car. if the car starts after this - its your starter.

If your starter was bad your car would not even crank. If its your battery the starter will click repeatedly.

Answer 2

it should lose power if not work at all. take it off and take it to autozone or something they should test it for you

Taking off and having tested will surely work, but if you don't want to take it off do the following. Jack up the car and secure it with jack stands. DO NOT work under a car only supported by a jack. It hurts real bad if a car falls on you. You need a volt meter. Set the meter to read DC volts. Find the terminal that runs to the starter motor, not the incoming to the solonoid. Put the red lead of your meter on that terminal. Put the black lead to ground. Have someone try the starter by turning the switch key. If you get 12 plus volts reading and the starter is not turning, you just might have a bad starter. Keep your hands clear of moving items suchs as belts etc. If you get no reading, you may have a bad solonoid also ck the battery cable. Good luck. JA

Answer 3

After making absolutely sure the battery is fully charged, all the connections are clean and tight and the starter selinoid is working properly: The the engine refuses to turn over, the starter is probably bad. The engine turns over very, very slowly, the starter is probably bad. The engine starts to turn over and you hear a whirring noise, the starter is probably bad.

Answer 4

the best way to tell is by removing it from the car or truck and bench test it or take it to your local auto parts store and let them check it. but when you are tring to start it if it is just clicking then i would say it is probly bad

Answer 5

First make sure you are getting 12amps at the solenoid and starter. If so, run a wire from solenoid to hot side of starter. It should turn over (assuming battery is strong). You can also jump straight from battery or jump box to starter. Make sure you have a good ground. I replaced starter on my 140hp Johnson for like $50 with a new omc starter from amazon.

Answer 6

Take it out and bring to auto parts store to be checked

Answer 7

Remove and bring to an auto parts stores that is able to test it for load, drag, and shorts