Starter motors
Generator Starter Motor Repairs
We repair generator starter motors once we have proved the starter is at fault, because a click, a slow crank or no crank can just as easily come from the battery, a cable, an earth or a start signal that never reached the solenoid. We test the whole starting circuit on site, then repair or replace the starter only when it has failed.
Callout fee waived when you accept our written quote. 1-year workmanship guarantee. See prices
- Battery tested first
- Solenoid tested separately from the motor
- Written quote before any work
- Onsite across Gauteng
Crank or no crank
How do I know if a generator starter motor is faulty?
You cannot tell from the sound alone. A single click often means the solenoid is trying but the motor is not turning the engine. The cause can be a flat battery, burnt contacts, a solenoid that will not hold in, a cable or earth fault, a damaged starter, or a weak control signal.
A starter that spins without turning the engine has a different fault from one that does not spin at all. Slow cranking can be a battery that sags under load or a starter that drags. We tell them apart with a voltage reading while it cranks, not by replacing the motor first.
Please do not bridge the starter terminals: it is a high-current test that can cause burns and fires. We test the circuit from the battery positive, through the solenoid, to a clean earth. As a guide, a starter motor repair costs R1,400 to R4,000, and you get a written quote first.
The starting circuit
Why does my generator click but not crank?
Generator clicks but will not crank
The click can be the solenoid, a relay, or a battery that collapses the moment the starter draws current. The voltage during that click tells us what to test next.
Generator cranks slowly
A tired battery, poor cables and a dragging starter all sound alike. We measure current and voltage while it cranks to separate them.
Starter solenoid problems
The solenoid can click, weld shut, or fail to pass current to the motor. A solenoid fault does not always mean a new starter motor.
Battery versus starter motor fault
If the battery voltage falls away while cranking, we deal with the battery and charging first. We condemn a starter only when the supply at the motor is healthy and it still will not turn the engine.
Starter wiring and earth problems
A corroded earth or a heat-damaged cable can leave a good starter silent. We inspect those joints before we remove the motor.
When does a starter motor need repair or replacement?
When our tests show the motor or its drive has failed: burnt contacts, a dead winding, or a drive that spins free. We repeat intermittent faults until we catch them, rather than guessing.
Common Questions
Questions about generator starter motors
Why does my generator click but not crank?
Because the start circuit closes but the engine does not turn. The battery, the solenoid, the cables or the starter motor itself can cause it, and we test them in that order.
Is every click a bad starter?
No. A collapsing battery or a bad earth clicks the same way. The voltage during the click tells us which it is.
The starter spins but the engine does not turn. What is that?
The motor is running but its drive is not engaging the engine. That is a different fault from no crank at all, usually in the starter drive or the ring gear.
It cranks slowly. Should the starter be replaced?
Not on the sound alone. We test slow cranking against the battery voltage and the cables first.
Can the controller stop the starter?
Yes. If the start signal never reaches the solenoid, the motor is not the part to change. We test that signal as part of the circuit.
Can I bridge the starter to test it?
No. Bridging starter terminals is a live, high-current test and is not safe to try yourself.
How is the starting circuit tested?
We check the battery voltage, the voltage drop while cranking, the earth path, the solenoid and the control signal, in that order.
Still unsure what the fault is? Call or WhatsApp 082 057 4605 for onsite diagnosis.
Service Areas
Onsite visits across Gauteng
We come to your generator anywhere in Gauteng, 24/7. Choose your region for local suburbs, call-out details and the faults we see most there.
What to send before we attend
These details help us plan the visit and bring the right parts. Send what you can on WhatsApp; if you can’t find the model number, we still book the visit.
- Location
- The suburb or site, so the visit can be booked in the right area.
- Make and model
- The generator brand and model, if they are known.
- kVA
- The size printed on the data plate.
- Fuel type
- Diesel, petrol, LPG, natural gas, or dual-fuel.
- Controller model
- The module name on the panel, when it is visible.
- Fault or alarm
- What the set does, and any text on the screen.
- Photos
- The generator, the data plate, and the controller or alarm. Send these on WhatsApp.
Book a Visit
Describe the sound
A click, a slow turn, a starter that spins freely, or nothing at all? Tell us whether a jump-start changes it.
- Call
- 082 057 4605
- Message us on WhatsApp
What happens next
- We reply with questions about the generator, or to book a visit.
- A technician comes to you. For a breakdown we arrive within 1 hour.
- The fault is diagnosed on site and you get a written quote. No work starts until you accept it.
Charlie, lead technician: Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Degree in Electrical Engineering, Diesel Plant Fitter. Generator specialists since 2000.