Starter cooked?

I suspected I was having issues with my starter - one click when turning the key, dragged start when it would start - and I think it finally kicked. Tons of smoke coming from what looked like the starter. Can the starter cause a lot of smoke when it’s finished?

Also, OEM starter the best option for replacement or is there still chance for repair?

 

If it’s smoking, I wouldn’t attempt to crack it anymore. It’s drawing too much amps and getting way too hot to either burning the insulation of the copper wires or the solenoid.

Many run aftermarket auto parts reman without issue. But from a large chain so the warranty covers wherever you travel.

 

Yeah, your starter is toast get you a good reman from NAPA.

Hopefully you didn’t cook any wiring check it over closely.

 

I like Napa stuff but hate dealing with their warranty. Napa operates both corporate stores and franchises but more franchises, so the warranty process will be a pain in the ass. As much as I hate to say it, for this reason, I rather buy from O’Reilly or Auto Zone

 

Tech Tip

1-order starter from vendor (I agree with hilux)
2-when confirmed at store wrench bad one off
3-take bad one and compare to new one at store (no double trips to pay core costs )

 

A NAPA starter may cost you more but no need to worry about warranty issues cause you won’t need it. JMHO

 

You can get a new OEM for about the same costs as an aftermarket.
I'd go OEM, or Denso (Denso made the OEM starter)

If I had to go local parts store, I'd go with an AutoZone GOLD series.
And that's only if I were in a pinch and needed today.
The Gold series is supposed to be manufactured to more stringent tolerances and triple checked. (Take that for what it is)

 

I once replaced an auto zone reman starter three times on a vw before ditching their "warranty" and getting a better starter. Agreed with denso as stated above.

 

If in a larger metro area there could be a electrical shop that would rebuild yours.

We have a local that does alternators & starters