Testing starter selenoid?

[xikxak]

Starter is out. if I hook a test light to terminal thet goes to starter and ground light it should show when I turn on start key,right? seems logical. thanks

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Testing starter selenoid?

Yes, and you should hear an audible "Click"!

 

[xikxak]

Re: Testing starter selenoid?

Thanks much.dave

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Testing starter selenoid?

Two circuits make it work. One is the control ckt that I assume you are after. You have that one nailed it looks like.....AKA LubeDude.<br /><br />The other is the solenoid high current contacts. If you do what you and Lube talked about and get the click, yet the starter is dead, take a pair of common pliers and short across the big terminals on the solenoid. If the starter wiggles (moves in any way) get a new starting solenoid. If nothing happens you have battery, wiring, terminal, or starter problems.<br /><br />Mark

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Testing starter selenoid?

Make sure you have a good battery (not just charge it -- make sure its up to snuff). Make sure the cables are clean and tight (both ends). Don't just look at them. Disconnect, clean and reattach. Last test, use a jumper cable from BAT POS to the post on the starter. If it runs, you have a problem other than the starter.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Testing starter selenoid?

Hey, I lied about starting current. My Merc manual says that my 90 3 cyl uses 125 amperes and the 4 cyl 125 uses 150 amperes. So the amps are higher than (I had) expected and that puts more emphasis on what we are talking about in battery integrity and external wiring. Autozone can do a load test for you on your battery.<br /><br />Mark