Starting System - 2.0L Engine: Other Dodge Avenger I

Starter Relay (A/T)

1. Locate starter relay in center console. see scheme 1 Remove starter relay. Continuity should exist between starter relay terminals No. 1 and 3. If continuity is not present, replace starter relay.
2. Using jumper wires, connect battery voltage to terminal No. 1 and battery ground to terminal No. 3. see scheme 2 With battery connected, continuity should exist between starter relay terminals No. 4 and 5. If continuity is not present, replace starter relay.

Starter Relay (M/T) & Anti-Theft Starter Relay (A/T)

1. Locate starter relay in center console. Locate anti-theft starter relay under driver's side of instrument panel, in relay box. see scheme 1and (Scheme 9). Remove relay. Continuity should exist between relay terminals No. 1 and 2, and between terminals No. 3 and 4. see scheme 3
2. If continuity is not present, replace starter relay. Using jumper wires, connect battery voltage to relay terminal No. 1 and battery ground to relay terminal No. 2. With battery connected, continuity should not exist between relay terminals No. 3 and 4. If continuity exists, replace relay.

Scheme 9

Anti-Theft Starter Relay (M/T)

1. Locate anti-theft starter relay under driver's side of instrument panel, in relay box. (Scheme 9) Remove relay. Continuity should exist between relay terminals No. 1 and 3. (Scheme 10) If continuity is not present, replace relay.
2. Using jumper wires, connect battery voltage to relay terminal No. 3 and battery ground to terminal No. 1. With battery connected, continuity should exist between relay terminals No. 2 and 5. If continuity does not exist, replace relay.

Scheme 10

Direct Drive Type Starter

1. Clamp starter mounting flange in soft-jawed vise. Connect a carbon pile rheostat in series between battery positive terminal and starter terminal "M". (Scheme 11) An ammeter is not necessary.
2. Rotate carbon pile rheostat to maximum resistance position. Connect a cable from battery negative terminal to starter housing. Connect a voltmeter (set to 15-volt scale) between starter housing and starter terminal "M". Adjust carbon pile rheostat until voltmeter indicates approximately 11 volts.
3. Starter should turn smoothly and freely. If starter does not turn smoothly and freely, replace starter.

Reduction Gear Drive Starter

1. Clamp starter mounting flange in soft-jawed vise. Connect an ammeter (set to 100-amp scale) and a carbon pile rheostat in series between battery positive terminal and starter "M" terminal. (Scheme 11)
2. Rotate carbon pile rheostat to maximum resistance position. Connect a cable from battery negative terminal to starter housing. Connect voltmeter (set to 15-volt scale) between starter housing and starter terminal "M". (Scheme 11)
3. Adjust carbon pile rheostat until voltmeter indicates approximately 11 volts. Starter should turn smoothly and freely. Maximum amperage should be 90 amps. Repair or replace starter if amperage is more than 90 amps.

Scheme 11

Pull-In Coil Test (Reduction Gear Drive Starter)

1. Disconnect field coil wire from terminal "M" at starter solenoid. (Scheme 11) Connect a jumper wire between positive battery terminal and terminal "S" of solenoid.
2. Connect a second jumper wire to negative battery terminal and touch terminal "M" of starter solenoid for no longer than 10 seconds. (Scheme 11) If pinion moves out, solenoid is good. If pinion does not move out, replace starter.

Hold-In Coil Test (Reduction Gear Drive Starter)

1. Disconnect field coil wire from terminal "M" at starter solenoid. (Scheme 11) Connect jumper wire between positive battery terminal and terminal "S" of starter solenoid.
2. Connect a second jumper wire to negative battery terminal and touch starter housing for no longer than 10 seconds. If pinion remains out, hold-in coil is good. If pinion moves in, hold-in circuit is open. Replace starter.