It may not be the end of the world, but it’s never convenient when your car won’t start. The dashboard lights and radio come on, but the engine just won’t turn over. What does Scotty Kilmer recommend you do in this situation?
Does #savagescotty have a life hack to make a dead car start every time?
- Do a visual check to ensure that the battery has power.
- Locate car’s starter.
- Find a long, thin metal rod.
- Smack the starter with the rod. No, really! Hit the starter.
- Turn your car on “one last time.”
Scotty Kilmer is one of the best mechanics on YouTube today, and he will walk you through the steps of this hack in the video. We’re also providing the steps in an easy-to-read format, so you can follow along.
When you use this hack, keep in mind the fact that your car’s starter is most likely dead and needs to be replaced. But if you need to resurrect the starter one last time so that you can get to work on time or get your ice cream home from the store before it melts, this trick will work.
Scotty Kilmer’s Life Hack to Start a Dead Car Every Time
1. Visual Check for Battery Power
If you turn on the key and the car has power — but the engine won’t start — that’s most likely a problem with your starter. Turn on your headlights. If they appear dim or won’t come on, you have a dead or dying battery, and you can ignore the rest of this hack.
If everything appears normal, other than the fact that the car won’t turn on, you probably have a bad starter.
2. Locate the Car’s Starter
The starter can be difficult to find in a crowded modern engine. It’s going to be down near the center of the motor on the driver’s side of the car in most cases. The starter is typically bolted to the engine near the flywheel, because it engages the flywheel when the motor turns over.
One tip that #savagescotty recommends is following the positive (red) cable from the battery down the to starter, where it connects to it.
3. Find a Long, Thin Metal Rod
You will need a long, thin metal rod that can reach the side of the starter for this hack. The handle that comes with your cheap, factory-made car jack will usually work for this. Otherwise, any long, thin metal rod that will reach the starter will work.
4. Smack the Starter
A starter is a delicate and complex piece of machinery that makes the car turn on. The starter has an electromagnet inside it, as well as a solenoid, a plunger, field coils, gears and springs. And you’re about to whack it with a stick.
Actually, it will probably just be a few “taps” on the side of the starter, because you’ll only have a couple of inches of space to work.
Note: Be sure to hit the larger body of the starter and not the smaller part on the side that the battery cable connects to. If you hit the cable side of the starter, it can cause it to short out.
5. Turn the Car on “One Last Time”
After giving the starter a smack or two with a metal rod, you should be able to turn the car on. Scotty Kilmer recommends having another person turn the key on as you are tapping the starter to increase your chances for success.
Time for a New Starter
You can use this life hack to make a dead car start, but it really is a “one last time” situation. Your car has a bad starter, and it needs to be replaced. There’s no guarantee that this hack will work more than once to get the starter to turn over.
Knowledge is Power When it Comes to Cars
This life hack can get you out of a jam if your car won’t start at an inconvenient time. At least you can get home or to the repair shop before having the starter replaced! The more tips, tricks and “hacks” you know, the better shape you’ll be in when you have car trouble.
Keep reading your Vehicle History and collecting tips like this, because you never know when you will need them!
