Easiest Way to Test your Starter

Wondering how to bench test your vehicle starter?

#automotive #auto #vehicles #maintenance #testing #carhacks

[YourDadsBoyfriend]

If it's already out and looks like that I'm just replacing it.

[Krankie_V]

Good demonstration. In reality, nobody's putting a starter that looks like that back in unless they're completely broke 😂

[tyleremenhizer]

Yes that is a good way In some cases. But it should always be tested under a full load. It might spin free in the bench but if it’s turning a flywheel and the compression of a engine it might but work. So starters should be tested under a full load.

[Xtroll]

This test is very basic and does work to see if it works at all. The problem with this test is the starter may spin but still be bad. To really test the starter you need to know the amperage draw when the starter spins. It's also possible for the starter to spin and pass an amperage draw test but the bendix be bad. You would be better served by doing a voltage drop across the battery to starter circuit and battery to ground circuit, then make sure there is power to the starter relay trigger when the key is turned to the start position. If these 3 things pass, you know the the starter circuits are good which leaves 2 possibilities, the starter is bad, the starter relay is bad or the engine itself has a problem that won't allow it to turn over. The starter relay is easily tested on the vehicle by jumping between the battery post on the relay and the relay trigger post. If it is the relay that is bad you can replace it but you have to ask how old is the starter? If it's an older start and the relay has went bad, how long before the starter itself goes bad? So if the starter circuits pass and the engine manually turns you and the customer are both going to be better served by simply replacing the starter. Yes you can do the test in the video to double check that it is the starter. One other thing, don't use a screw driver to jump between the relay trigger post and 12 volt unless it's a junk one you don't care about. It is always possible that the relay has a short to ground which could arc and damage the tip of your screwdriver. A junk screw driver, who cares if it does. If you use a jumper wire, you'revnot going to damage it enough that it won't do it's job.

[DH-rtfk]

My Dad lost the keys to an old chevelle we were restoring. I looked at the starter with the wires going straight to the ignition and figured I could hot wire it and sure enough I got it running

[nikolasheb]

Dont throw away your starter if it doesnt work properly right away. I took mine out and connected it as described with starter only spinning. After it didnt come out, mine conclusion was that I'm in need of a new one. Since my friend didnt believe me you can connect starter directly to power, I connected it again to send him a video proving it could be done. To my surprise, starter was spinning and coming out just as it's suppost to. Put everything back and car is working fine. Thank you so much dude, it felt rly cool connecting power through screwdriver. Great video!

[josephrepecki]

You unknowingly aswered my deepest questions ive been asking over the last 3 days

[Break-Outtuglife]

You can do it while it is still hooked up to car. Take screw driver and lay it against power terminal and solenoid terminal

[al-mubdizahir]

Eh man your a good teacher. I now know how to test a starter 👍🏾

[DroidzandBrix]

Tested the starter for my ‘72 bug this way. The solenoid wouldn’t work and the motor barely spun. I take a look inside and turns out it was BURNT UP. Glad I checked before putting it back in

[twt]

A bad starter can test good. This is quite common actually.

[jamietucker]

Could just be a bd solenoid just not making contact hook positive to othe post on starter if it don't spin its the starter

[Solace]

I finally found it. The sound that my car is making. Immediately upon turning the key, this sound can be heard, which would make sense for this to be the issue. I still need to verify that, though.

[jambo_jackbelly]

I’m sure you know that the part you’re referring to in the beginning is the solenoid and if the gear pops up the solenoid is good. If the gear spins the starter is good. Sometimes the gear spins but the solenoid is bad and won’t pop the gear out to engage the ring gear to start the motor.

[drkcobra]

That sucker jumps pretty good when it works generating the needed torque. Ya might want to secure the starter being tested a wee bit better.

[tomthackston]

Then you can touch the screwdriver to the other big wire and see if the motor works that is just the solenoid.

[howardbeacon]

Just change the brushes and you good to go 😂

[alanjackson]

Gotta load test it or pull it down and check each component with with high voltage tester for integrity of insulation

[seanzabala]

the bendix gear popping out but motor not spinning does not necessarily mean the motor is dead. it could be that the contactors in the solenoid are pitted/dirty that it could not bridge the power from the battery (B terminal) into the starter output terminal. happened to me.

[tannerc]

So I did this on an antique tractor I’m restoring, such an easy tip thank you!

If the starter pops out suggesting it’s no good.. would you bother to try and repair it or just save the headache and buy a new one?