No-Load Test

No-Load Test:

REMOVE OR DISCONNECT
^ Test leads from battery and ammeter to starter motor assembly.
Inspect
^ That the starter motor runs smoothly and that the pinion extends quickly and completely.
Measure
1. Starter motor current draw. Standard starter motor current draw at 11 volts is:
^ Manual transmission equipped vehicles - No more than 90 amperes.
^ Automatic transmission equipped vehicles - No more than 90 amperes.
Evaluation
1. Low free speed and high current draw indicates:
^ Too much friction - tight, dirty or worn bushings, bent armature shaft allowing armature to drag.
^ Shorted armature. This can be further checked on a growler after disassembly.
^ Grounded armature or fields. Check further after disassembly.
2. Failure to operate and high current draw indicates:
^ A direct ground in the terminal or fields.
^ "Frozen" bearings.
3. Failure to operate and low or no current draw indicates:
^ Open solenoid windings.
^ Open field circuit. This can be checked after disassembly by inspecting internal connections.
^ Open armature coils. Inspect the commutator for badly burned bars after disassembly.
^ Broken brush springs, worn brushes, high insulation between the commutator bars or other causes which could prevent good contact between the brushes and commutator.
4. Low no-load speed and low current draw indicates:
^ High internal resistance due to poor connections, defective leads, dirty commutator and causes listed under fault number 3.
5. High free speed and high current draw indicate shorted fields. If shorted fields are suspected, replace the field coil assembly. Also check for shorted armature using a growler.
6. Rated current draw and no-load speed indicate normal condition of starter motor assembly; reinstall starter motor assembly onto vehicle.

INSTALL OR CONNECT
1. Field coil lead wire to starter solenoid; secure with one nut.
Tighten
^ Field coil lead wire nut to 15 N.m (11 lb. ft.).
2. Starter motor assembly onto vehicle.