Starter Motor Failure Mode

[Raize]

So of course we all know the saying: "Don't crank your car on the starter too long, your starter will break".

But what is the mode of failure for it breaking? Let's assume a traditional modern starter motor where the solenoid both provides the current path and engages the motor with the flywheel.

[Major Fallout]

It overheats.

[Raize]

That's a start. What happens then, do insulators/solders melt?

[BigTom85]

On modern diesels its usually because the DMF has shat itself