How to bench test a starter?
- Thread starter toddr124
- Start date
Pete Whitstone
True Classic
You can test that they spin and that the bendix throws the pinion out, but that might not necessarily mean the starter is strong enough to work properly.
Just use some jumper cables to run power to the starter. Clamp the ground onto some bare metal on the case. There are usually some ribs on the nose of it that will work. Then clamp the hot lead onto the lug where the big wire from the battery goes. Finally, hold or clamp it down and use a screwdriver or wire to jump the hot lug to the starter wire trigger (usually a "spade" or slide-on type of connector).
Do hold it down good, they tend to jump.
Pete
Just use some jumper cables to run power to the starter. Clamp the ground onto some bare metal on the case. There are usually some ribs on the nose of it that will work. Then clamp the hot lead onto the lug where the big wire from the battery goes. Finally, hold or clamp it down and use a screwdriver or wire to jump the hot lug to the starter wire trigger (usually a "spade" or slide-on type of connector).
Do hold it down good, they tend to jump.
Pete
AKimball92
True Classic
Video or it never happened.
Steve Hoelscher
True Classic
I have done this test many times over the years. A set of jumper cables and a length of wire to jump from the positive clamp to the energizer terminal on the starter solenoid. Just put your foot on it to hold it on the garage floor.