Note: See warnings given in Chapter 1 this Section.
1. If the starter does not turn on, the reason may be as follows:
- a) The battery is faulty.
- b) There may be a poor electrical connection somewhere between the switch, solenoid, battery and starter that is preventing the necessary current from flowing from the battery to ground through the starter.
- c) The traction relay is faulty.
- d) Mechanical or electrical failure of the starter.
2. To check the battery, turn on the headlights. If they dim after a few seconds, the battery is discharged; recharge (Chapter 3) or replace it. If the headlights are bright, turn the key in the ignition and watch what happens to the lights. If they dim, then power is being supplied to the starter; therefore the starter must be removed and replaced or repaired. If the headlights do not dim (and you can't hear the clicks of the traction relay), this means there is a fault in the circuit or traction relay; see below. If the starter turns slowly and the battery is in good condition and fully charged, then either the starter is faulty or there is significant resistance in the circuit.
3. If a circuit is suspected, disconnect the negative cable from the battery (including ground contact to the body), starter/solenoid wiring and engine/transmission ground strap, clean them thoroughly and reconnect them, then use a tester to check that the power (positive) the traction relay terminal has battery voltage and is securely connected to the "ground". Lubricate the battery terminals with Vaseline to prevent corrosion. Oxidation of connections is the most common cause of electrical system failures.
4. If the battery and all connections are in good condition, check the circuit by disconnecting the command (thin) wire from the solenoid relay. Using a tester, check that when the ignition key is turned to the start position, there is battery voltage at the command terminal of the solenoid relay. If so, the circuit is OK; if not, go to step 7.
5. The traction relay contacts can be checked by connecting a voltmeter or a 12V lamp to the positive connection on the traction relay side and to ground. When the key is turned to the start position, the lamp should light or the voltmeter should indicate battery voltage. If this does not happen, the traction relay is faulty and should be replaced.
6. If the circuit and traction relay are OK, then the starter is faulty; take it off (Chapter 9) and check the brushes (Chapter 10). If the brushes are OK, the windings should be defective; in this case, the starter motor must be replaced, or you must contact an auto electrician for repairs.
7. If a fault is suspected in the circuit, check it as described in Chapter 2 from this Section and guided by "Electrical connection diagrams".