Initial Inspection and Diagnostic Overview

INSPECTION

START TEST

NOTE: The air temperature must be between 59 and 100 °F (15 and 38 °C) before testing.

Recommended procedure :
- Use a starter system tester.
- Connect and operate the equipment in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
- Test and troubleshoot as described.

Alternate Procedure :
- Use the following equipment:
- Ammeter, 0 - 400 A
- Voltmeter, 0 - 20 V (accurate within 0.1 volt)
- Tachometer, 0 - 1,200 rpm
- Hook up a voltmeter and ammeter as shown.

NOTE: After this test, or any subsequent repair, reset the ECM/PCM to clear any codes.

Check the Starter Engagement:

1. Remove the ECM(B+) fuse from the fuse/relay box.
2. Turn the ignition switch to START (III) with the shift lever in N or P position (A/T) or with the clutch pedal depressed (M/T). The starter should crank the engine.
- If the starter does not crank the engine, go to step 3.
- If it cranks the engine erratically or too slowly, go to "Check for Wear and Damage".

3. Check the battery, battery positive cable, ground, starter cut relay, and the wire connections for looseness and corrosion. Test again.
If the starter still does not crank the engine, go to step 4.
4. Unplug the connector from the starter.
5. Connect a jumper wire from the battery positive (+) terminal to the solenoid terminal. The starter should crank the engine.
- If the starter still does not crank the engine, remove it, and diagnose its internal problem.
- If the starter cranks the engine, go to step 6.

6. Check the ignition switch.
7. Check the starter relay.
8. Check the A/T gear position switch (A/T) or the clutch interlock switch (M/T).
9. Check for an open in the wire between the ignition switch and starter.

CHECK FOR WEAR AND DAMAGE

The starter should crank the engine smoothly and steadily. If the starter engages, but cranks the engine erratically, remove it, and inspect the starter drive gear and torque converter ring gear for damage.

Check the drive gear overrunning clutch for binding or slipping when the armature is rotated with the drive gear held. If damaged, replace the gears.

STARTER SOLENOID TEST

1. Disconnect the wires from the S terminal and the M terminal.




2. Connect the battery as shown. If the starter pinion pops out, it is working properly. To avoid damaging the starter, do not leave the battery connected for more than 10 seconds.




3. Disconnect the battery from the M terminal.
If the pinion does not retract, the hold-in coil is working properly. To avoid damaging the starter, do not leave the battery connected for more than 10 seconds.




4. Disconnect the battery also from the body. If the pinion retracts immediately, it is working properly. To avoid damaging the starter, do not leave the battery connected for more than 10 seconds.

FREE RUNNING TEST

1. Place the starter motor in a vise equipped with soft jaws and connect a fully-charged 12-volt battery to starter motor as follows :
2. Connect a test ammeter (100-ampere scale) and carbon pile rheostat as shown in the illustration.
3. Connect a voltmeter (15-volt scale) across the starter motor.
4. Rotate carbon pile to the off position.
5. Connect the battery cable from battery's negative post to the starter motor body.
6. Adjust until battery voltage shown on the voltmeter reads 11 volts.




7. Confirm that the maximum amperage is within the specifications and that the starter motor turns smoothly and freely :

2.7
Current : Max. 90 Amps Speed : Min. 2,800 rpm

2.0
Current : Max. 90 Amps Speed : Min. 3,000 rpm