Sometimes won't start

[deathrament]

recently purchased a 2002 aztek. I live in canada, nova scotia so its fairly cold here now. It usually wont start. Had it to a garage and he said the starter is freezing up. He said it may not help to replace the starter, which i dont really understand. He told me to plug the vehicle in and see if that helps. Tried it and doesnt help. Im not sure what to do. But if i take a screwdriver and put it on the starter to get it to spin for a few seconds and then thry to start the car it will start?

 

[melsg5]

I assume when you say it wont start, the engine does not turn over. Did the mechanic check the condition of the battery by doing a load test? Did the mechanic check the alternator output? If he did these things and he feels it's the starter, replace it. The other possibility is the starter relay is on it's way out.

 

[aztek03]

Take it to a local parts place and have them run a load test on the battery and alternator. It should be free and they will install the battery for free.