When a vehicle has trouble starting, many people initially blame the starter. What is the starter, and how do you know if yours has called it quits? At East Coast Auto Care in Jacksonville, FL, we want to keep you informed and telling you what to look for will prevent further damage when issues arise. The starter is essentially just an electric motor; a gear at the end of that electric motor engages the flywheel, which turns the engine over, allowing it to start. How do you know if yours is failing?