Starter Motor - Ground Circuit

Starting System

Component Tests

WARNING: Always disconnect the battery ground cable at the battery before disconnecting the starter motor battery terminal lead. If a tool is shorted at the starter motor battery terminal, the tool can quickly heat enough to cause a skin burn. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

Connect the Fluke 77-IV Digital Multimeter at the component terminal rather than at the wiring end connector. Making a connection at the wiring end connector could result in false readings because the meter will not pick up a high resistance between the wiring connector and the component.

Starter Motor - Ground Circuit

A slow cranking condition can be caused by resistance in the ground or return portion of the cranking circuit. Check the voltage drop in the ground circuit as follows:

1. Connect the Fluke 77-IV Digital Multimeter positive lead to the starter motor housing (the connection must be clean and free of rust or grease). Connect the negative lead to the negative (-) battery terminal.






2. Engage the remote starter switch and crank the engine. Read and record the voltage reading. The reading should be 0.5 volt or less.

3. If the voltage is more than 0.5 volt, clean the negative cable connections at the battery, the body ground connections and the starter ground connections. Retest.

4. If the voltage is more than 0.5 volt, install a new cable. If the voltage reading is less than 0.5 volt and the engine still cranks slowly, install a new starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor - 2.5L Service and Repair, Starter Motor - 3.0L Service and Repair or Starter Motor - 3.5L Service and Repair.