Can anyone tell me if these are the signs of a bad starter. If my car sits for awhile than I go to start it, all it does is crank and crank but no ignition. But when the car finally starts after multiple attempts, the rpms shoot low and than steadies itself with black smoke emitting out of the exhaust. I checked the battery and it is still good. I'm leaning towards the starter but its not making any noises. Any opinions or suggestions thanks.

Andy

 

If the started cranks then its probly ok, how's you fuel filter/spark plugs and what not? If the starter was noisy, didn't crank, or just kinda makes a whirring noise then id be worried. If i were you go have your mech. take a look at it just to be safe. I dont think you wanna be stranded one dark and lonely night.

 

my starter died on me last week; before it finally gave out, the car started sorta sluggishly for a few days, like the battery was weak/dying...but i knew the battery was fine (only 2 months old). when it died totally, nothing would happen when i turned the key...no cranking, no buzzing noise, nothing; all the electrical stuff worked fine & didn't dim when the key was turned.

thanks to a co-worker, i managed to get the car started one more time, even with a dead starter...got it replaced the next day.

as for the black smoke, you got me...

 

Thanks for the replies. The car cranks, but doesn't start. I'm still thinking that the starter is starting to fail. I will check the things you mentioned and if I can't find the problem, i guess i'll go ahead and take the car to a mechanic. Thanks.

 

i have a 97 starter for sale if you need one

 

If the starter cranks, then its fine, as long as its not cranking really slow like a dead battery or if it makes grinding noises etc... I dont think its the starter...

 

You guys are probably right. Not the starter since it cranks fine but doesn't start. I'll have to look at the fuel filter, plugs etc.. and see if those are fine. Thanks.

 

Black smoke could be from a flooded engine (i.e. too much fuel in the cylinders from the repeated start attempts), so the black smoke is unburned fuel dumping out.