Note: See warnings given in Chapter 1 of this Section.
1. If the starter does not turn on, the reason may be as follows:
- a) Battery defective.
- b) There may be a bad electrical connection somewhere between the switch, the traction relay, the battery, and the starter that is preventing proper current from the battery from flowing to ground through the starter.
- c) Faulty traction relay.
- d) Mechanical or electrical starter failure.
2. To check the battery, turn on the headlights. If they dim after a few seconds, the battery is dead; recharge (Chapter 3) or replace it. If the headlights are bright, turn the key in the ignition and see what happens to the lights. If they dim, then energy is supplied to the starter; therefore, the starter must be removed and replaced or repaired. If the headlights don't dim (and you can not hear the clicks of the traction relay), means a malfunction 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/traction relay wiring and engine/transmission ground strap, thoroughly clean and reconnect, then use a tester to check that the power (positive) terminal of the traction relay was battery voltage, and that there was a reliable connection to «mass». Lubricate the battery terminals with petroleum jelly to prevent corrosion. Oxidation of compounds is the most common cause of malfunctions in the electrical system.
4. If the battery and all connections are in good condition, check the circuit by disconnecting the command (thin) wire from the traction relay. Using a tester, check that when the key is turned in the ignition switch to the start position, there is battery voltage at the command terminal of the traction relay. If so, then the circuit is OK; if not, go to step 7.
5. The contacts of the pull relay can be checked by connecting a voltmeter or a 12 lamp to the positive connection on the side of the pull relay and to «mass». When the key is turned to the start position, the lamp should light up or the voltmeter should show battery voltage. If this does not happen, the traction relay is defective and must be replaced.
6. If the circuit and the traction relay are in order, then the starter is faulty; take it off (Chapter 9) and check the brushes (Chapter 10). If the brushes are in order, the windings must be defective; in this case, the starter motor must be replaced, or contact an auto electrician for repair.
7. If a fault is suspected in the circuit, check it as described in Chapter 2 from this Section and guided by «Wiring diagrams».