Starter Motor - Motor Feed Circuit
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2009 Ford Mustang. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Make sure the battery is fully charged; carry out a Battery Condition Test. Refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES article.
- Connect a remote starter switch between the starter solenoid S-terminal and the battery positive (+) terminal.
- Connect the 73III Automotive Meter positive lead to the battery positive (+) post. Connect the negative lead to the starter solenoid M-terminal.
Item Part Number Description 1 - S-terminal 2 - Remote starter switch 3 10653 Battery 4 - 73III Automotive Meter 5 - B-terminal 6 - M-terminal - 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 - Ground Circuit component test.
- If the voltage reading is greater than 0.5 volt, this is an indication of excessive resistance in the connections, the positive battery cable or in the starter solenoid. Move the 73III Automotive Meter 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.
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Item Part Number Description 1 - S-terminal 2 - Remote starter switch 3 10653 Battery 4 - 73III Automotive Meter 5 - B-terminal 6 - M-terminal - 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.
- 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.
- Clean the positive (+) battery cable connection. If this does not solve the problem, install a new positive battery cable.