1. The engine won't crank. This is the most obvious sign of a bad starter. When you turn the key in the ignition, the starter motor should engage the flywheel and turn the engine over. If the engine doesn't crank, the starter may be bad.
2. The engine cranks slowly. This could also be a sign of a bad starter. If the starter motor is weak or damaged, it may not be able to turn the engine over quickly enough.
3. The starter makes a grinding noise. This is a sign that the starter motor's gears are damaged. When the starter motor engages the flywheel, the gears should mesh smoothly. If the gears are damaged, they will grind against each other and make a noise.
4. The starter solenoid clicks but the engine doesn't crank. This means that the starter solenoid is working, but the starter motor is not. The starter solenoid is an electrical switch that sends power to the starter motor. If the solenoid is working, but the starter motor is not, the starter motor may be bad.
If you suspect that the starter on your 1996 Toyota Tercel is bad, you should have it diagnosed by a qualified mechanic. A bad starter can cause the engine to overheat and damage other parts of the car.
