Note: Before you begin, read the safety precautions in Section 1 of this Chapter.
1. If the starter does not turn on when the key in the ignition switch is turned to the required position, this may be due to the following reasons:
- a) The battery is discharged.
- b) There is no connection somewhere between the ignition switch, solenoid, battery and starter.
- c) The solenoid is faulty.
- d) The starter has a mechanical or electrical fault.
2. To check the battery, turn on the headlights. If they go out after a few seconds, this means the battery is discharged - recharge or replace the battery. If the headlights are bright, turn the key in the ignition and watch the headlights. If their brightness decreases, this means that the current is supplied to the starter, and the fault should be looked for in it. If the headlights continue to burn brightly (and the click of the starter valve solenoid is not heard), this indicates that there is a break in the circuit or a faulty solenoid - see the following paragraphs. If the starter is slow and the battery is sufficiently charged, then either the starter is faulty or there is a high resistance somewhere in the circuit.
3. If you suspect a fault in the circuit, disconnect the battery cables (including the ground cable) and the starter/solenoid and engine/transmission ground cables. Clean the connections thoroughly and reconnect the cables, then use a voltmeter or test light to verify that the positive terminal of the solenoid has battery voltage and is properly grounded. Apply petroleum jelly to the battery terminals to prevent corrosion - corrosion of connections is one of the most common causes of electrical system failure.
4. If the battery and all connections are good, check the circuit by disconnecting the wire from the solenoid terminal. Connect a voltmeter or test light between the end of the wire and the vehicle's ground (or the negative terminal of the battery) and check that there is voltage on the wire when the key in the ignition switch is turned to the "start" position. If there is voltage, this means that there are no breaks in the circuit.
5. The solenoid contacts can be checked by connecting a voltmeter or test light between the positive terminal of the solenoid, to which the starter wire is connected, and the vehicle ground. When the ignition key is turned to the "start" position, the voltmeter should show voltage or the indicator light should light. If the voltmeter does not show voltage or the light does not light, the solenoid is faulty and must be replaced.
6. If the circuit and solenoid are in good condition, this means that the starter is the source of the malfunction. In this case, you need to contact specialists to repair the starter. Check the availability and price of a new starter, as it may be more profitable not to repair the old starter, but to buy a new or refurbished starter.
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