Can a busted starter motor cause frequent battery drain in Suzuki Khyber?

Yes, a damaged o r faulty starter motor can absolutely be a reason for frequent battery drain in a Suzuki Khyber—although its not the most common cause, it does happen and should be checked if you’ve ruled out other issues.

🔋 How the Starter Motor Can Drain the Battery:
Internal Short Circuit:

If the internal wiring o r windings inside the starter motor are damaged o r shorted, it can draw a small amount of power continuously, even when the engine is off.

This is known as a “parasitic draw”, and it can slowly kill your battery overnight.

Faulty Starter Solenoid Stuck Closed:

The solenoid which acts like a relay to activate the starter can sometimes get stuck in a “closed” position, allowing power to flow even after the ignition is turned off.

This drains the battery and can also overheat the starter.

Poor Ground o r Loose Connections:

If the ground wire of the starter motor is not tight o r clean, the starter may not operate correctly and can cause voltage s that confuse the alternator and battery system, leading to irregular charging and draining.

🧪 How to Test for Starter Motor Battery Drain:
Use a Multimeter:

Disconnect the negative battery terminal and place a multimeter in amperage mode in series.

If there’s a current draw above 0.05 amps 50 mA when the car is off, that’s a sign of parasitic drain.

Remove fuses one by one to isolate the circuit. If removing the fuse connected to the starter/ignition system stops the drain, the starter o r solenoid is likely the issue.

Starter Heat Check:

After leaving the car parked overnight, touch the starter motor carefully. If it feels warm even though the car hasn’t been started, that’s a red flag.

🛠️ What You Can Do:
Inspect and clean all starter motor wires and terminals, especially the positive cable from the battery to the starter.

If a parasitic draw is confirmed and traced to the starter, it’s best to replace o r professionally rebuild it.

Also check the ignition switch, as sometimes a faulty switch keeps power flowing to the starter even when the key is removed.

✅ Conclusion:
While not the most common cause of battery drain, a busted o r internally shorted starter motor in a Suzuki Khyber can definitely lead to overnight battery drainage. If your battery keeps dying and you’ve already ruled out lights, stereo, o r alarm system—get the starter motor tested.

Pro Tip Pakistan Specific: Any good car electrician in Pakistan can check for parasitic draw with a multimeter—just ask for a “battery leakage test.” It’s a low-cost diagnostic step before replacing anything.