How to quickly test starter

CyFi6 · 11-28-2007, 07:23 AM

Ive got the oh too common starter problem of no crank. When i turn the key to start i hear the relay click, and i hear the starter gear click out to the flywheel and hold in, but no crank. I already fully tested and cleaned the relay and contacts in the relay and it is all fine. I checked all the connections that i can and cleaned the battery terminal connections. I did a load test on the battery and it performed just fine. Sometimes if i click the key to start repeatedly for a bunch of times it will crank, but rather slowly sometimes and inconsistantly, sort or like it stutters a little while its cranking. Sounds kind of like brushes, but i tried tapping the starter with a hammer while trying to crank and got nothing. Ended up having to push start it today.

Anyways my main question is if there is any way i can hook power up to the starter directly from the battery and try cranking without the ignition switch to rule out any of the cars wiring(anything outside the starter itself). I dont want to replace the starter if i dont need to because i read it could be an ignition switch or the long length of wiring going to the passenger side kick panel. ALSO, i did test the clutch safety switch and it worked fine.

Thanks a lot for the help!

Bill UK · 11-28-2007, 08:08 PM

The large lead and the small wire connected to the starter are both positive. Connect a length of wire to the small wire on the starter (this is a the spade terminal with a brown plastic protective cover) the other end touch the positive terminal on the battery after turning on the ignition. The starter should turn over and start the engine. Remember to insulate the end of the spare wire afterwards if you leave it connected.

f00g00 · 11-28-2007, 10:37 PM

Yeah mines doing the same thing so I wired a momentary toggle switch from the battery to the small terminal and use that if the key won't start it on the first couple of tries. I mounted the switch in the coin holder through a hole I drilled. This is a temp fix till I do a re-wire and re-location of the starter relay to the engine compartment.

CyFi6 · 11-29-2007, 12:35 AM

i dont understand why people relocate the relay. If the stock wires go bad why would it work perfect sometimes and not at all other times?

suprra_girl · 11-30-2007, 01:57 AM

^ i have no idea, but doing the relay fixes it forever!!!

11-28-2007, 07:23 AM	#1
CyFi6 3" Exhaust Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SLO Posts: 234	How to quickly test starter Ive got the oh too common starter problem of no crank. When i turn the key to start i hear the relay click, and i hear the starter gear click out to the flywheel and hold in, but no crank. I already fully tested and cleaned the relay and contacts in the relay and it is all fine. I checked all the connections that i can and cleaned the battery terminal connections. I did a load test on the battery and it performed just fine. Sometimes if i click the key to start repeatedly for a bunch of times it will crank, but rather slowly sometimes and inconsistantly, sort or like it stutters a little while its cranking. Sounds kind of like brushes, but i tried tapping the starter with a hammer while trying to crank and got nothing. Ended up having to push start it today. Anyways my main question is if there is any way i can hook power up to the starter directly from the battery and try cranking without the ignition switch to rule out any of the cars wiring(anything outside the starter itself). I dont want to replace the starter if i dont need to because i read it could be an ignition switch or the long length of wiring going to the passenger side kick panel. ALSO, i did test the clutch safety switch and it worked fine. Thanks a lot for the help!

11-30-2007, 01:57 AM	#5
suprra_girl 7M POWAH! ;) Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: New Zealand Posts: 2,312	^ i have no idea, but doing the relay fixes it forever!!! __________________ Please use the forum to ask your questions as they will get replied to much faster than pming me Pics of my build. "Good girls are just bad girls that don't get caught" Do a diagnostic first!

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11-28-2007, 08:08 PM	#2
Bill UK AEM EMS Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: UK Posts: 891	The large lead and the small wire connected to the starter are both positive. Connect a length of wire to the small wire on the starter (this is a the spade terminal with a brown plastic protective cover) the other end touch the positive terminal on the battery after turning on the ignition. The starter should turn over and start the engine. Remember to insulate the end of the spare wire afterwards if you leave it connected.

11-28-2007, 10:37 PM	#3
f00g00 12psi boost Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kuwait Posts: 292	Yeah mines doing the same thing so I wired a momentary toggle switch from the battery to the small terminal and use that if the key won't start it on the first couple of tries. I mounted the switch in the coin holder through a hole I drilled. This is a temp fix till I do a re-wire and re-location of the starter relay to the engine compartment.

11-29-2007, 12:35 AM	#4
CyFi6 3" Exhaust Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: SLO Posts: 234	i dont understand why people relocate the relay. If the stock wires go bad why would it work perfect sometimes and not at all other times?