How to tell if the starter motor o r ignition switch is faulty in Suzuki Khyber?

This is a very common issue in older Suzuki Khyber models, where the car sometimes refuses to start o r starts after multiple tries. The confusion usually lies in whether the problem is with the starter motor o r the ignition switch the electrical part where you insert and turn the key.

Here’s how you can tell the difference:

🔍 Symptoms of a Faulty Ignition Switch:
You turn the key and nothing happens at all—no click, no crank.

Lights on the dashboard flicker o r go off when turning the key.

Engine starts if you wiggle the key o r try multiple times.

Intermittent starting issues even when the battery is good.

🔧 Symptoms of a Faulty Starter Motor:
You hear a clicking sound, but the engine doesn’t turn over.

Sometimes the car starts after tapping the starter motor with a tool.

Cranking is slow o r weak, especially when the engine is hot.

A burning smell o r noise near the engine bay during start attempts.

🛠️ How to Test:
Use a test light o r multimeter to check if power reaches the starter when you turn the key.
If power is not reaching: it’s likely the ignition switch o r wiring.
If power is reaching but the starter isn’t working: it’s the starter motor.

You can also bypass the ignition switch by directly connecting the starter solenoid using a wire “jumping the terminals”. If the car starts this way, the ignition switch is the culprit.

✅ Conclusion:
If the issue is intermittent, electrical, and key-related, suspect the ignition switch.
If there’s clicking, slow cranking, o r heat-related issues, the starter motor is more likely to blame.