How Do You Diagnose a Faulty Starter Motor in a Toyota Hilux?

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How Do You Diagnose a Faulty Starter Motor in a Toyota Hilux?

A dead battery and a bad starter motor can have similar symptoms. How do you differentiate between the two when troubleshooting your Hilux?

Lubaba asked on 12 Feb 2025 10:55:03 am

1 Answer

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Car Mechanic Expert - on 12 Feb 2025 11:12:27 am

Differentiating Between a Dead Battery and a Faulty Starter:

Test the Battery: Before assuming it’s the starter motor, check the battery charge. If the battery is fully charged and the car still won’t start, the issue could be the starter motor.
Check for Clicking Sounds: A clicking sound when you turn the key usually points to a starter issue, whereas a completely dead silence is more likely a battery problem.
Voltage Test: You can use a multimeter to test the voltage at the starter motor. If there is voltage and it doesn’t turn over, the starter may be faulty. If no voltage reaches the motor, it could be the battery o r an electrical connection issue.

Other diagnostic methods: A jump start can help determine if the issue is with the battery o r the starter. If a jump starts the engine, the starter is likely the problem.