Starter motor

When you press the starter button, the starter relay closes the high-current circuit between the battery and the starter motor, which turns the crank through gears and the starter clutch.

Likely cause by symptom

• Just a "click": weak battery, corroded terminals or starter relay
• Slow cranking: weak battery, worn starter brushes
• Starter spins but the engine does not turn: starter clutch or gear fault

Operate the starter in short bursts of a few seconds; holding it for long overheats the motor.