Suzuki Swift Won't Start Despite New Starter Motor

Had the same symptoms on my 2011 Suzuki SX4 diesel. The issue turned out to be corroded battery terminals causing intermittent connection problems. While the dash lights can illuminate with minimal power, the starter motor requires a solid connection for full current flow. Key observations from my repair experience: Battery posts showed white/green corrosion, Cleaning terminals temporarily fixed it, Complete terminal replacement was the final solution, Engine stalling occurred before complete failure The starter motor replacement on your Swift might be unrelated. When battery connections are weak, the ECU can receive inconsistent power, triggering various electrical issues that mimic ECU failure. The check engine light might not always indicate this problem. Before assuming ECU issues or engine software updates, have the battery connections inspected. This is a common problem that often goes overlooked when diagnosing starting issues. The fuel injection and other electrical systems can be affected by poor power supply, creating confusing symptoms. A proper inspection of the entire starting circuit, including cables and grounds, should be the first step. This was a serious issue in my case as it could have left me stranded, but the fix was straightforward once correctly diagnosed.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I had similar electrical gremlins with my Swift last year. The engine light kept coming on out of nowhere and the car would sometimes struggle to start. The symptoms match what you described with the SX4. Can you remember roughly how much the terminal replacement cost you? Also curious if youve had any other electrical problems since fixing those connections? My mechanic quoted 180€ for a full diagnosis but Id like to know what others paid for similar work.

Just had it fixed last week actually. The total repair came to 155€ for replacing and properly securing all battery cable connections. Since then, the engine control malfunction warning has completely disappeared and the car starts perfectly every time. The diagnosis revealed exactly what I suspected, corroded and loose battery terminals were causing the ECU to receive inconsistent power. This was triggering unusual engine fault codes and those frustrating starting issues. The intermittent engine stalling I experienced before has also stopped completely. I think the 180€ diagnostic fee youve been quoted seems a bit steep, especially since we now know these symptoms often point to basic electrical connection problems. The repair itself is straightforward once properly identified. The key is ensuring all battery cables are properly cleaned, tightened, and protected against future corrosion. Since having this done, I havent experienced any more electrical gremlins or starting problems. The fuel injection system now works as intended since its getting consistent power from the battery.

Took your advice and checked the battery connections first. Turns out the terminals were badly corroded, just like you mentioned. Found a different mechanic who charged 140€ for a complete terminal replacement and thorough electrical system check. The car starts perfectly now. No more check engine lights or starting problems. The fuel injection system works smoothly and the ECU seems to be getting proper power. The engine diagnostics came back clean after the repair. Really glad I asked here before spending money on unnecessary repairs. The original shop wanted to run expensive tests and even suggested replacing the entire ECU. Saved myself hundreds by fixing the actual problem, those corroded battery connections. Best part is the new mechanic did a proper job. They even applied anti-corrosion coating on the terminals to prevent future issues. No more electrical problems or engine stalling since the repair was done last week.