If your car will not start, the possible reason is that you have a bad or damaged solenoid. If this is the case, then jumpstarting your car will not do anything because the issue is with a bad starter solenoid. You need to get this fixed first before you can start the car. Most probably, you cannot jumpstart a car with a bad starter solenoid.
Full Answer
Can you bypass a solenoid to jump-start a car?
Bypassing the solenoid may enable you to jump-start your car, but precautions are necessary. This article explains how to do it and offers safety tips. Locate the solenoid on the car's electrical system. It is typically a small cylinder or box near the starter or battery cables.
What happens if you jump a bad starter solenoid?
Here is a friendly reminder: jumping a defective or bad starter solenoid is a dangerous procedure. Do this only as a last resort. You can either get electrocuted, or you can burn out and destroy the starter motor completely. You are basically bypassing the starter solenoid to deliver electrical current directly to the starter motor.
What to check before jumping the starter solenoid?
Before jump starting the solenoid, here are the things that you need to check: 1. Check The Car Battery This is the most important thing to check before thinking about jumping the starter solenoid. You need to make sure that your car battery can supply enough current to start the solenoid and turn your engine.
Can you jump start a car that won't start?
While a jump start can help in some cases, it’s not always the best option. It will take more than a jolt to get things going here. As a result, you should take your vehicle to a technician or repair center for an inspection. The first thing you should do if this happens to you is try to jump start your car.

How do you start a car with a bad solenoid?
3:257:29You can do it with a pair of jumper cables. Anything you want but basically all you got to do is getMoreYou can do it with a pair of jumper cables. Anything you want but basically all you got to do is get power from the positive terminal of the battery. Down to the positive lead on the starter.
How do you know if you have a bad solenoid?
If the clicking you are hearing is quiet or repetitive, it may be that your solenoid is not strong enough or does not have enough power from the battery. If you hear no sound at all or the car doesn't start, this could be a sign of a faulty solenoid.
Can a bad solenoid cause your car not to start?
Sometimes a bad starter solenoid, instead of preventing the engine from starting, may cause it to start on its own without the key being turned to the “start” position.” This less-common problem can be dangerous and should be addressed immediately.
Can you jump start a car with a bad starter relay?
More often than not, your car may fail to start due to a discharged or weak battery. Providing enough amps to the starter can help it function normally, which in turn, will crank up the engine. To jump-start a car, you can either use another car's battery and jumper cables or use a portable jump starter.
Can a bad starter solenoid drain a battery?
The short answer is: Yes, it can. It could also drain the battery even faster if you repeatedly try to start your car with a faulty starter. A faulty starter is also one of the leading causes of battery overcharging.
What happens when a solenoid fails?
A faulty starter solenoid can exhibit several symptoms, including these: Engine doesn't crank: This is a result of the starter solenoid failing to deliver power to the starter motor. No clicking sound: This can mean either a faulty starter solenoid or starter relay.
How do you know if its the starter or solenoid?
Have a friend turn the key in the ignition to attempt to start the vehicle. Listen carefully, as you should hear a click when the starter solenoid engages. If you do not hear a click, the starter solenoid is likely not functioning properly. If you do hear clicking, the solenoid may be engaging, but not sufficiently.
What does a bad starter solenoid sound like?
A bad starter's tell-tale noise is loud clicking. It can either have a fast tempo, click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click or a slower lilt of click, click, click, click. No other part makes these noises when they fail, so if you hear either, you're likely going to be on the hook for a brand-new starter.
How do you jump a starter solenoid with a screwdriver?
0:535:14And what you want to do is you want to jump this to the s part of the small stud. Okay now once youMoreAnd what you want to do is you want to jump this to the s part of the small stud. Okay now once you do this you're activating a solenoid and a starter. And you should see the gear pop out and spin.
Why is my car not starting but the battery isn't dead?
Broken or Damaged Ignition If your headlights can turn on, but your car won't crank, that means that your battery is charged, but either the starter or ignition is the problem. If the starter or ignition is the problem, a starter engine can be jumped by using a charged battery.
What does it mean when car clicks but wont start?
It might be a battery or alternator problem. Perhaps your battery's dead, or your alternator, which charges the battery, isn't working correctly. If the source of the clicking is electrical, the starter (a small motor energized by the battery that gets the engine running) doesn't have enough juice to stay powered.
How do you bypass the ignition switch to start a car?
1:583:15But with the start switch connected as such positive wire start signal wire. We can start the engineMoreBut with the start switch connected as such positive wire start signal wire. We can start the engine. Of course that's predicated on the idea that you will have your ignition key switched.
How Do You Jump Start a Car With a Bad Starter?
Having to jumpstart your car with a bad starter has probably been experienced by everyone. If you are a driver and you have not experienced trying to start a car with a bad starter, then you will soon over time. This is why it is essential to know what to do to start a car with a bad starter.
Can a Jump Start Help a Bad Starter?
Yes, you can, but this is not guaranteed to start the engine. It helps when you jumpstart a car with a bad starter. This is only temporary, though.
Can You Jump a Bad Starter Solenoid?
This depends on the situation. If your car will not start, the possible reason is that you have a bad or damaged solenoid. If this is the case, then jumpstarting your car will not do anything because the issue is with a bad starter solenoid.
What Should You Pay Attention To?
You need to always check with the solenoid. The starter solenoid is the one that gives power to the starter from the battery. If you have a bad starter solenoid, you will not be able to start your car.
Summary
In summary, dead batteries are experienced by almost any driver. Having to jumpstart your car with a bad starter is also another bad situation. You have to do a lot of checking before you can start your engine.
Resources
My name is Hank, and I've been in the automotive industry for 27 years. I've been working in my own auto repair shop for the last 13 years, and now I want to help you here, on my blog. Let me know if you have any questions. Read more
Where is the solenoid located on a car?
Step 1. Locate the solenoid on the car's electrical system. It is typically a small cylinder or box near the starter or battery cables.
How to prevent electrical shock when working around batteries?
Take the vehicle to a trained mechanic who can run diagnostic checks on the electrical system to determine if your problem involves more than a weak or dying battery. Wear heavy work gloves to protect your hands, keep them clean, and prevent electrical shock when working around batteries.
Can you jump start a car if the solenoid is bad?
If the solenoid is bad, you won't hear any clicking. Bypassing the solenoid may enable you to jump-start your car, but precautions are necessary. This article explains how to do it and offers safety tips.
What Is A Starter
A starter is a small motor that turns electrical energy into mechanical energy used to crank and start your engine. It’s powered by your car’s battery via a starter relay.
Symptoms Of A Bad Starter
Like the spark plugs, idle air control valve, or any of your car or truck’s other mechanical components, the starter will usually exhibit a few warning signs when it’s excessively worn, damaged, or no longer working.
How To Start A Car With A Bad Starter
Fixing a bad starter often requires the help of an experienced mechanic, but there are a few things you can do yourself to possibly start your vehicle and get it to the nearest repair shop.
Starting A Bad Starter FAQs
You’ve got more questions about starting a car with a bad starter, and we’ve got answers. Here are some popular questions and our answers to them.
Final Thoughts
You wanted some tips on starting a car with a bad starter, and we provided a list of the most common symptoms of a bad starter and what you can do to get one to work.