- battery failure;
- defective connections between switch, solenoid, battery and starter;
- solenoid failure;
- the starter has mechanical or electrical damage.
To check the battery, turn on the headlights. If they start to go out after a few seconds, this indicates that the battery is discharged and should be charged or a new one installed. If the headlights are bright, turn on the ignition and check them. If they become dim, then the fault lies in the starter. If the headlights continue to burn brightly (and there is no click in the starter solenoid), this means that there is a defect either in the circuit or in the solenoid. If the starter turns slowly when turned on, and the battery is in good condition, then either the starter is faulty, or there is a short somewhere in the circuit.
If you suspect a fault in the circuit, disconnect the battery cables (including the chassis ground), starter/solenoid cables, and engine/transmission ground straps. Carefully clean any dirt from the connections, reconnect the cables and terminals, then use a voltmeter to check for voltage at the positive battery terminal connected to the solenoid. Make sure the ground is good. Apply a small amount of petroleum jelly to the battery terminals to prevent corrosion.
If the battery and all connections are good, check the circuit by disconnecting the wire from the solenoid. Connect a voltmeter (or a control lamp) between the end of the wire and the ground to ground (for example, to the negative terminal of the battery) and check if the wire is live after turning the ignition key to the "start" position. If it is live, the circuit is OK, if not, proceed as follows.
You can check the solenoid contacts by connecting a voltmeter (or a control lamp) between the positive terminal of the battery on the solenoid side and the ground. When the key in the ignition switch is turned to the "start" position, the instrument reading should be observed or the lamp should light. If this is not the case, the solenoid is faulty and should be replaced.
If the electrical circuit and solenoid appear to be OK, the problem may be in the electric motor. Start checking the starting motor by removing it (see next section) and check the brushes. If the defect is not in the brushes, then the electric motor winding may have failed and it needs to be repaired.
Visitor comments