Armature Inspection and Test

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Honda Fit, 2012 Honda Fit, 2011 Honda Fit, 2010 Honda Fit, and 2009 Honda Fit. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove the starter (see STARTER REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION ).
Disassemble the starter as shown in the Exploded View.
Inspect the armature for wear or damage from contact with the permanent magnet. If there is wear or damage, replace the armature.

Fig 1: Identifying Armature
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Check the commutator (A) surface. If the surface is dirty or burnt, resurface it with an emery cloth or a lathe to the specifications in step 5, or recondition with #500 or #600 sandpaper (B).

Fig 2: Checking Commutator Surface
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Check the commutator diameter. If the diameter is below the service limit, replace the armature.
Commutator Diameter

Standard (New): 28.0 mm (1.10 in.)

Service Limit: 27.0 mm (1.06 in.)

Fig 3: Checking Commutator Diameter
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Measure the commutator (A) runout.
- If the commutator runout is within the service limit, check the commutator for carbon dust or brass chips between the segments.
- If the commutator runout is not within the service limit, replace the armature.
  Commutator Runout
  
  Standard (New): 0.02 mm (0.001 in.) max.
  
  Service Limit: 0.05 mm (0.002 in.)
  
  Fig 4: Measuring Commutator Runout
  Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Check the mica depth (A). If the mica is too high (B), undercut the mica with a hacksaw blade to the proper depth. Cut away all the mica (C) between the commutator segments. The undercut should not be too shallow, too narrow, or V-shaped (D).
Commutator Mica Depth

Standard (New): 0.50 ± 0.80 mm (0.020 ± 0.031 in.)

Service Limit: 0.20 mm (0.008 in.)

Fig 5: Identifying Commutator Segments
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Check for continuity between the segments of the commutator. If there is an open circuit between any of the segments, replace the armature.

Fig 6: Identifying Continuity Between Segments Of Commutator
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Place the armature (A) on an armature tester (B). Hold a hacksaw blade (C) on the armature core. If the blade is attracted to the core or vibrates while the core is turned, the armature is shorted. Replace the armature.

Fig 7: Identifying Armature & Armature Tester
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Use an ohmmeter to check for continuity between the commutator (A) and armature coil core (B), and between the commutator and the armature shaft (C). If there is continuity, replace the armature.

Fig 8: Checking Continuity Between Commutator & Armature Coil Core Using Ohmmeter Using Ohmmeter
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Starter Brush Inspection

Measure the brush length. If it is not within the service limit, replace the brush holder assembly.
Brush Length

Standard (New): 14.0 ± 14.5 mm (0.55 ± 0.57 in.)

Service Limit: 9.0 mm (0.35 in.)

Fig 9: Measuring Brush Length
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Starter Field Winding Test

Check for continuity between the brushes (A). If there is no continuity, replace the armature housing (B).

Fig 10: Identifying Brushes & Armature Housing
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Check for continuity between each brush and the armature housing. If there is continuity, replace the armature housing.

Starter Brush Holder Test

Check for continuity between the (+) brush holder (A) and (-) brush holder (B). If there is continuity, replace the brush holder assembly.

Fig 11: Identifying Brush Holder
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Brush Spring Inspection

Insert the brush (A) into the brush holder, and bring the brush into contact with the commutator, then attach a spring scale (B) to the spring (C). Measure the spring tension at the moment the spring lifts off the brush. If it is not within the standard, replace the brush holder assembly.
Spring Tension

Standard (New): 13.7 ± 17.7 N

(1.40 ± 1.80 kgf, 3.09 ± 3.97 lbf)

Fig 12: Checking Spring Tension
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Overrunning Clutch Inspection

Slide the overrunning clutch (A) along the shaft. Replace it if it does not slide smoothly.

Fig 13: Identifying Overrunning Clutch
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Hold the drive gear (B), and turn the overrunning clutch in the direction shown to make sure it turns freely. Also make sure the overrunning clutch locks in the opposite direction. If it does not lock in either direction or it locks in both directions, replace it.
If the starter drive gear is worn or damaged, replace the overrunning clutch assembly; the gear is not available separately. Check the condition of the flywheel ring gear if the starter drive gear teeth are damaged.

Planetary Gear Inspection

Check the planetary gears (A) and internal ring gear (B). Replace them if they are worn or damaged.

Fig 14: Identifying Planetary Gears & Internal Ring Gear
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

Starter Reassembly

Pry back each brush spring with a screwdriver, then position the brush about halfway out of its holder, and release the spring to hold it there.
NOTE: To seat new brushes, slip a strip of #500 or #600 sandpaper, with the grit side up, between the commutator and each brush, and smoothly turn the armature. The contact surface of the brushes will be sanded to the same contour as the commutator.

Fig 15: Prying Back Brush Spring With Screwdriver
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the armature in the housing, and install the brush holder. Next, pry back each brush spring again, and push the brush down until it seats against the commutator, then release the spring against the end of the brush.

Fig 16: Identifying Brush Holder
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Install the starter end cover to retain the brush holder.
Do STARTER PERFORMANCE TEST