Starter Motor: Testing and Inspection

Free Running Test:

1. Place starter in a suitable soft jawed vise.
2. Connect a fully charged 12 volt battery, ammeter and voltmeter to starter motor as shown in Fig. 8, using a 0-100 amperage ammeter, a suitable voltmeter and a carbon pile rheostat.
3. Rotate carbon pile rheostat to full resistance position.
4. Adjust rheostat until battery voltage shown on the voltmeter reads 11.5 volts for direct drive starters or 11 volts for reduction drive starters.
5. Confirm that the maximum amperage is within specification refer to Starting and Charging/Starting System/Specifications, and the starter motor turns smoothly and freely.