Starter Relay: Testing and Inspection

Starter Motor Relay Test

Starter Motor Relay Terminals:

1. Disconnect the electrical connectors from the ground terminal and the ignition terminal.
2. Using an ohmmeter, measure the resistance across these two terminals. Resistance should be approximately 22 ohms.
3. Measure the resistance between either terminal and the negative post of the battery. Resistance should be infinite. If the resistance is not infinite, replace the relay. If the resistance is infinite, reconnect the ground and ignition electrical connectors.
4. Disconnect the starter solenoid electrical connector, and connect the black lead of a voltmeter to the negative post of the battery and the red lead to the starter solenoid terminal of the relay.
5. With the ignition switch held in the start position, the voltmeter should indicate 12 volts (battery voltage). If there is no voltage, check the wiring harnesses, bulkhead connector, and ignition switch adjustment.
6. Disconnect the fuel pump ballast resistor terminal connector, and connect the red lead of a voltmeter to it. Connect the black lead to the negative post of the battery. With the ignition switch held in the start position, the voltmeter should indicate 12 volts (battery voltage).
7. If battery voltage is not present, replace the relay.
8. If battery voltage is present in steps 5 and 6, and the starter relay still is not functioning, reconnect the fuel pump ballast resistor electrical connector.

WARNING: Before the ground terminal is jumped, make sure that the vehicle is in PARK (automatic transmission) or NEUTRAL (manual transmission) and the parking brake is applied.

9. Connect a jumper wire between the ground terminal of the starter relay and the negative post of the battery. If the starter doesn't "click", replace the relay. If the starter "clicks", repair the ground circuit. See CHASSIS ELECTRICAL DIAGRAMS for ground circuit information.