How do you tell if the starter has gone out - Cars & Trucks

Starter failure is indicated by several actions
1--- very slow in turning the engine ( something like a flat battery)---bushes shot and armature poling on shoes-- repairable
2--- clicking solenoid on starter but not spinning motor--- faulty solenoid contact points not completing power circuit--- solenoid replacement
3--starter spins fine on one start but will do nothing on restart or will restart if the engine is turned a fraction by hand-- dry joints in commutator bar in armature starter stops spinning on start and the faulty bar is under a brush thereby not making a circuit on restart--- repairable
4--starter shows signs of burning/ heat on the outside -- starter held in engagement with the fly wheel and burnt out the wiring
5--- starter spins and engages the ring gear but doesn't move the crank--- over run clutch on pinion of starter is failed --- replaceable
if the starter is what is known as a stepped starter ( body of the starter is not in direct line with the pinion nut works through an idler gear) there could be failures in the drive of that idler gear
fortunately most starters will last the life of the motor if used correctly ( not winding over until the battery is flat)
if the engine is held in good tune then a starter will operate for as little as 15 seconds to start an engine and most starter problems faults can be traced to
failed cells in battery --- have a load test done
dirty battery posts and terminals-- should be shiny clean and tight
bad ground wire point on engine for battery lead
faulty starter relays
problem ignition switches