Cranking time in excess of 30 seconds can cause

• A. The starter to overheat
• B. Battery damage
• C. Alternator failure
• D. Spark plug fouling

Answer: (A)

Prolonged cranking pulls a large amount of current through the starter. The starter is built for short bursts, not continuous operation. If cranking lasts too long, the windings and bearings heat up faster than they can cool, causing overheating that can harm the starter, reduce its life, or trigger thermal protection. While a weak battery can contribute to problems, the immediate and most direct consequence of crank times well beyond a brief burst is starter overheating. Other options don’t reflect a direct outcome of extended cranking in this context.