         
Premature Starter Failure The starter system on today's vehicles is under less demand than on vehicles twenty years ago. Smaller engines, fuel injection and electronic ignition are just a few of the improvements that have taken stress off of the starting system. Starters have downsized quite a bit in the past few years. Improvements in gear-reduction drive shafts and permanent magnet field coils have made starters light weight yet powerful units. As vehicles age, they place higher demands on the starting system. Vehicles with weak batteries, worn ignition and fuel components, lower compression, corroded and worn battery cables cause the starter to work hard and run hotter. This can be considered normal wear and tear on a vehicle. But, if these vehicle systems are allowed to deteriorate premature starter failure will occur. The following is a list of events, in no particular order, which can shorten the life of a starter: 1. An incorrect or defective battery causing the starter to crank too slowly - Slow cranking overheats the starter 2. Corroded battery cable ends and ground straps 3. Loose or worn connections at the starter motor - Cause slow cranking and burn up solenoid and starter terminals 4. Motor oil or antifreeze contamination entering the unit 5. Loose, worn, or missing mounting hardware and support brackets - Missing heat shields cause the starter to overheat on the engine 6. Modifying the exhaust system - Adding headers or relocating exhaust pipes can overheat the starter 7. Worn flywheel or flex plate 8. Incorrect shims used between the engine and starter 9. Over cranking-Should not crank the engine more than 20 seconds at a time 10. Defective ignition switch 11. Incorrect motor oil viscosity in cold environments 12. Engaging the starter motor while the engine is running 13. Using the starter motor as a vehicle propulsion unit 14. Hitting a Permanent Magnet Starter with a hammer 15. Modifying the engine - Increasing compression - Increasing cranking time by modifying fuel or spark delivery - Engine backfires can break starter housings 16. A vehicle used as a stop and go vehicle requiring frequent starts - Drivers education car - Inner-city fleet vehicles 
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