The starter is an electric motor that uses power from the battery to turn the flywheel and crankshaft and start the engine. The crankshaft holds the connecting rods and pistons, so it requires a healthy starter motor and strong battery to move all that metal and get the engine going — a job that’s more difficult in cold weather because the engine oil is thicker. Once the engine is running, the starter motor disengages. Starters wear out and electrical connections can come loose or fail, but starter motors often last for the life of a vehicle. If the engine doesn’t crank when trying to start it, the starter may not be the culprit. Instead, the battery could be dead or the ignition switch may be broken. If the lights, wipers, stereo and other electrical accessories work but the engine doesn’t crank, then the starter could be the cause.
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