Inspection and Verification
| WARNING | When servicing starter motor or performing other underhood work in the vicinity of the starter motor, be aware that the heavy gauge battery input lead at the starter solenoid is "electrically hot" at all times. A protective cap or boot is provided over the terminal of this lead and must be installed after servicing. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury. |
| WARNING | When working in area of the starter motor, be careful to avoid touching hot exhaust components. Failure to follow these instructions may result in personal injury. |
Note. When working on the starter system, make sure the anti-theft system is deactivated, if equipped.
- Verify the customer concern by operating the starting system.
- Visually inspect for obvious signs of mechanical and electrical damage. Refer to the following chart: VISUAL INSPECTION CHART Mechanical Electrical Starter motor Brackets Anti-theft relay Battery Failed fuse 11 (30A) Damaged wiring harness Loose or corroded connections
- If the concern is not visually evident, verify the symptom. Go to «Symptom Chart»(ref-270900-S34684277422007111500000) .
Symptom Chart
| Condition | Possible Sources | Action |
|---|
| The engine does not crank/the relay does/does not click | Battery Starter motor Starter motor relay Ignition switch Damaged fuse Anti-theft system Circuitry | Go to Pinpoint Test A . |
| The engine cranks slowly | Battery Starter motor Circuitry | CARRY OUT the Starter Motor - Voltage Drop Test Component Test. |
| Unusual starter noise | Starter mounting Flywheel/ring gear Starter motor | Go to Pinpoint Test B . |
| The starter spins but the engine does not crank | Starter motor | INSPECT the starter motor mounting and engagement. INSTALL a new starter motor. |
| Damaged flywheel/ring gear teeth | INSPECT the flywheel/ring gear for damaged, missing or worn teeth. REPAIR as required. |
Pinpoint Test A: The Engine Does Not Crank/The Relay Does/Does Not Click
Refer to SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS , Starting System for schematic and connector information.
Starter Motor - Voltage Drop Test
| WARNING | When servicing the starter motor or performing other underhood work in the vicinity of the starter motor, be aware that the heavy gauge battery input lead at the starter solenoid is "electrically hot" at all times. |
| CAUTION | A protective cap or boot is provided over the battery input terminal on all vehicle lines and must be installed after servicing. Be sure to disconnect the battery ground cable before servicing the starter motor. |
Always make the Rotunda 73 Digital Multimeter connections at the component terminal rather than at the wiring end connector. Making a connection at the wiring end connector could result in false readings because the meter will not pick up a high resistance between the wiring connector and the component.
Scheme 13
Scheme 13: Starter Motor - Motor Feed Circuit
Scheme 14
- Make sure the battery is fully charged. Refer to «CHARGING SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION»(ref-270936) .
- Disconnect the inertia fuel shutoff (IFS) switch.
- Connect a remote starter switch between the starter solenoid S-terminal and the battery positive (+) terminal.
- Connect the Rotunda 73 Digital Multimeter positive lead to the battery positive (+) post. Connect negative lead to the starter solenoid M-terminal. Item Part Number Description 1 - S-terminal (part of 11002) 2 - Remote starter switch 3 10653 Battery 4 - Rotunda 73 Digital Multimeter 5 - B-terminal (part of 11002) 6 - M-terminal (part of 11002)
- Engage the remote starter switch. Read and record the voltage. The voltage reading should be 0.5 volt or less.
- If the voltage reading is 0.5 volt or less, go to the Starter Motor - Motor Ground Circuit Component Test.
- If the voltage reading is greater than 0.5 volt, indicating excessive resistance, move the Rotunda 73 Digital Multimeter negative lead to the starter solenoid B-terminal and repeat the test. If the voltage reading at the B-terminal is lower than 0.5 volt, the concern is either in the connections at the starter solenoid or in the solenoid contacts. Item Part Number Description 1 - S-terminal (part of 11002) 2 - Remote starter switch 3 10653 Battery 4 - Rotunda 73 Digital Multimeter 5 - B-terminal (part of 11002) 6 - M-terminal (part of 11002)
- Remove the cables from solenoid B-, S- and M-terminals. Clean the cables and connections and reinstall the cables to the correct terminals. Repeat Steps 3 through 6. If the voltage drop reading is still greater than 0.5 volt when checked at the M-terminal and less than 0.5 volt when checked at the B-terminal, the concern is in the solenoid contacts. Install a new starter motor.
- If the voltage reading taken at the solenoid B-terminal is still greater than 0.5 volt after cleaning the cables and connections at the solenoid, the concern is either in the positive (+) battery cable connection or in the positive battery cable itself.
- By moving the Rotunda 73 Digital Multimeter negative lead toward the battery and checking each mechanical connection point, the excessive voltage drop can be located. When the high reading disappears, the last mechanical point that was checked is the concern. Repair or install a new connection as required.
