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Home >> Ford >> 2000 >> Contour SE, 2.5 L, Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> External Pages >> Different car >> Section 554 (Intake Air System, Fuel Charging System & Engine Electronics System-4.0L SOHV Engine) >> Diagnosis And Testing >> Starting System >> Component Tests >> Starter Motor - Motor Feed Circuit

Starter Motor - Motor Feed Circuit

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mercury Mountaineer and 2004 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Make sure the battery is fully charged. Refer to BATTERY & CHARGING SYSTEM .
  2. Disconnect the inertia fuel shutoff switch (IFS switch).
  3. Connect a remote starter switch between the starter solenoid S-terminal and the battery positive (+) terminal.
  4. Connect the Rotunda 73 Digital Multimeter positive lead to the battery positive (+) post. Connect negative lead to the starter solenoid M-terminal.
    Fig 1: Identifying Motor Feed Circuit
    G03181825Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  5. Engage the remote starter switch. Read and record the voltage. The voltage reading should be 0.5 volt or less.
  6. If the voltage reading is 0.5 volt or less, go to the STARTER MOTOR - MOTOR GROUND CIRCUIT .
  7. 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.
    Fig 2: Identifying Motor Feed Circuit
    G03181826Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  8. 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 or less than 0.5 volt when checked at the B-terminal, the concern is in the solenoid contacts. Install a new starter motor.
  9. 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.
  10. 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.