Page 385 of 2438

² VEHICLES WITH DIRECT IGNITION SYSTEM:
Disconnect the ignition coils electrical connector (Fig.
7). (3) Verify that all lights and accessories are OFF,
and the transmission shift selector is in PARK or
manual in NEUTRAL. Set parking brake. (4) Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the
START position. Observe the volt-ampere tester (Fig.
8). ²
If voltage reads above 9.6 volts, and amperage
draw reads above 250 amps, go to the starter feed
circuit resistance test.
² If voltage reads 12.4 volts or greater and amperage
reads 0 to 10 amps, go to starter control circuit test.
CAUTION: Do not overheat the starter motor or
draw the battery voltage below 9.6 volts during
cranking operations.
(5) After the starting system problems have been
corrected, verify the battery state of charge and
charge battery if necessary. Disconnect all testing
equipment and connect ignition coil cable or ignition
coil connector. Start the vehicle several times to as-
sure the problem was corrected.
Fig. 4 Volt Ampere Tester
Fig. 5 Volt-Ampere Tester Connections
Fig. 6 Ground Ignition Coil Cable
Fig. 7 Ignition Coils Electrical Connection
Fig. 8 Starter Draw Tests
Ä BATTERY/STARTING/CHARGING SYSTEMS DIAGNOSTICS 8A - 13
Page 386 of 2438

STARTER FEED CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TEST
Before going on with this operation, review Diag-
nostic Preparation and Starter Feed Circuit Tests.
The following operation will require a voltmeter, ac-
curate to 1/10 of a volt.
CAUTION: Ignition system also must be disabled to
prevent engine start while performing the following
tests.
(1) Disable ignition system as follows:
² VEHICLES WITH CONVENTIONAL DISTRIBU-
TORS: Disconnect the ignition coil cable from the
distributor cap. Connect a suitable jumper wire be-
tween the coil cable end-terminal and a good body
ground (Fig. 6).
² VEHICLES WITH DIRECT IGNITION SYSTEM:
Disconnect the ignition coils electrical connector (Fig.
7). (2) With all wiring harnesses and components
properly connected, perform the following: (a) Connect the negative lead of the voltmeter to
the negative battery post, and positive lead to the
negative battery cable clamp (Fig. 9). Rotate and
hold the ignition switch in the START position.
Observe the voltmeter. If voltage is detected, cor-
rect poor contact between cable clamp and post. (b) Connect positive lead of the voltmeter to the
positive battery post, and negative lead to the pos-
itive battery cable clamp. Rotate and hold the igni-
tion switch key in the START position. Observe the
voltmeter. If voltage is detected, correct poor con-
tact between the cable clamp and post.
(c) Connect negative lead of voltmeter to nega-
tive battery terminal, and positive lead to engine
block near the battery cable attaching point (Fig.
10). Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the
START position. If voltage reads above 0.2 volt,
correct poor contact at ground cable attaching point. If voltage reading is still above 0.2 volt after
correcting poor contacts, replace ground cable.
(3) Remove starter heat shield. Refer to Starter re-
placement to gain access to the starter motor and so-
lenoid connections. Perform the following steps: (a) Connect positive voltmeter lead to the starter
motor housing and the negative lead to the nega-
tive battery terminal (Fig. 11). Hold the ignition
switch key in the START position. If voltage reads
above 0.2 volt, correct poor starter to engine
ground.
(b) Connect the positive voltmeter lead to the
positive battery terminal, and negative lead to bat-
tery cable terminal on starter solenoid (Fig. 12).
Rotate and hold the ignition switch key in the
START position. If voltage reads above 0.2 volt,
correct poor contact at battery cable to solenoid
connection. If reading is still above 0.2 volt after
correcting poor contacts, replace positive battery
cable. (c) If resistance tests do not detect feed circuit
failures, remove the starter motor and go to Bench
Testing Starter Solenoid.
Fig. 9 Test Battery Connection Resistance
Fig. 10 Test Ground Circuit Resistance
Fig. 11 Test Starter Motor Ground
8A - 14 BATTERY/STARTING/CHARGING SYSTEMS DIAGNOSTICS Ä
Page 387 of 2438

STARTER CONTROL CIRCUIT TESTS
The starter control circuit has:
² Starter solenoid
² Starter relay (Fig. 2)
² Neutral starting and back-up switch with auto-
matic transmissions
² Clutch pedal mounted starter interlock switch
with manual transmissions
² Ignition switch
² Battery
² All related wiring and connections
CAUTION: Before performing any starter tests, the
ignition system must be disabled.
² VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CONVEN-
TIONAL DISTRIBUTOR: Disconnect coil wire from
distributor cap center tower. Secure wire to a good
ground to prevent engine from starting (Fig. 6).
² VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH DIRECT IGNI-
TION SYSTEM: Unplug the coils electrical connector
(Fig. 7).
STARTER SOLENOID TEST
WARNING: CHECK TO ENSURE THAT THE TRANS-
MISSION IS IN PARK OR NEUTRAL WITH THE
PARKING BRAKE APPLIED
(1) Verify battery condition. Battery must be in
good condition with a full charge before performing
any starter tests. Refer to Battery Tests. (2) Perform this starter solenoid test BEFORE per-
forming the starter relay test. (3) Raise the vehicle.
(4) Perform a visual inspection of the starter/
starter solenoid for corrosion, loose connections or
faulty wiring. (5) Lower the vehicle.
(6) Locate the starter relay as follows:
² On AC, AG, AJ and AY Bodies the relay is located
in the Power Distribution Center. This Center is mounted near the front of the left front strut tower
(Fig. 13). The position of the starter relay within this
Center will be shown on the Center cover.
² On AA/AP Bodies the relay is located on the front
of the left front strut tower (Fig. 14).
(7) Remove the starter relay from the connector.
(8) Connect a remote starter switch or a jumper
wire between the battery positive post and terminal
87 on the starter relay connector. To decide the
starter relay terminal numbers, refer to the Starter
Relay Tests.
² If engine now cranks, starter/starter solenoid is
good. Go to the starter relay test.
² If engine does not crank with this test, or solenoid
chatters, check wiring and connectors from starter
Fig. 12 Test Positive Battery Cable Resistance
Fig. 13 Starter Relay LocationÐAC, AG, AJ, and AY Bodies
Fig. 14 Starter Relay LocationÐAA/AP Body
Ä BATTERY/STARTING/CHARGING SYSTEMS DIAGNOSTICS 8A - 15
Page 388 of 2438

relay to starter solenoid for loose or corroded connec-
tions. Particularly at starter terminals.
² Repeat test. If engine still fails to crank properly,
trouble is within starter or starter mounted solenoid,
and it must be removed for repairs. Refer to Group
8B, Battery/Starter/Generator Service, Starter re-
placement.
STARTER RELAY TEST
WARNING: CHECK TO ENSURE THAT THE TRANS-
MISSION IS IN PARK OR NEUTRAL WITH THE
PARKING BRAKE APPLIED
(1) Verify battery condition. Battery must be in
good condition with a full charge before performing
any starter tests. Refer to Battery Tests. (2) Perform the preceding starter solenoid tests
BEFORE performing starter relay tests. Refer to
Starter Solenoid Test. (3) Locate and remove the starter relay. For
starter relay locations, refer to Starter Solenoid Test
(Fig. 13 or 14). (4) After the starter relay has been located and re-
moved, refer to Starter Relay Tests (Fig. 15).
NEUTRAL STARTING AND BACK-UP SWITCH
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ONLY
For electrical diagnostics, when checking starter
circuits, refer to Starter Relay Tests (Fig. 15). For replacement of switch, refer to Group 21, Tran-
saxle, Neutral Starting and Switch Replacement.
STARTER INTERLOCK SWITCHÐCLUTCH PEDAL MOUNTED
MANUAL TRANSMISSION ONLY
For electrical diagnostics, refer to the Starter Relay
Tests. For replacement and/or adjustment of the switch,
refer to Group 6, Manual Transaxle Clutch, Manual
Transaxle Starter Interlock Switch.
IGNITION SWITCH TEST
After testing the starter solenoid and relay, test ig-
nition switch and wiring. Refer to Group 8D, Ignition
Systems, or the Front Wheel Drive Car Wiring Dia-
grams Service Manual. Check all wiring for opens or
shorts, and all connectors for being loose or corroded.
BENCH TESTING STARTER SOLENOID
(1) Disconnect field coil wire from field coil termi-
nal (Fig. 16 or 17). (2) Check for continuity between solenoid terminal
and field coil terminal with a continuity tester. Con-
tinuity should be detected (Fig. 18 or 19). (3) Check for continuity between solenoid terminal
and solenoid housing (Fig. 20 or 21). Continuity
should be detected. If continuity is detected, solenoid
is good. (4) If continuity is not detected in either test, sole-
noid has an open circuit and is defective. If equipped
with:
² BOSCH STARTER: Replace the solenoid.
² NIPPONDENSO STARTER: Replace the starter
assembly.
8A - 16 BATTERY/STARTING/CHARGING SYSTEMS DIAGNOSTICS Ä
Page 389 of 2438
Fig. 15 Starter Relay Tests
Ä BATTERY/STARTING/CHARGING SYSTEMS DIAGNOSTICS 8A - 17
Page 390 of 2438
Fig. 16 Field Coil Wire TerminalÐBosch
Fig. 17 Field Coil Wire TerminalÐNippondenso
Fig. 18 Continuity Test Between Solenoid Terminal and Field Coil TerminalÐBosch
Fig. 19 Continuity Test Between Solenoid Terminaland Field Coil TerminalÐNippondenso
Fig. 20 Continuity Test Between Solenoid Terminal and Solenoid Case ÐBosch
Fig. 21 Continuity Test Between Solenoid Terminaland Solenoid Case ÐNippondenso
8A - 18 BATTERY/STARTING/CHARGING SYSTEMS DIAGNOSTICS Ä
Page 391 of 2438

GENERATOR TEST PROCEDURES ON VEHICLE INDEX
page page
Charging System Diagnostics (Fig. 1) ......... 19
Current Output Test ...................... 19 Output Wire Resistance Test
................ 19
CHARGING SYSTEM DIAGNOSTICS (Fig. 1)
OUTPUT WIRE RESISTANCE TEST
The generator output wire resistance test shows
the amount of voltage drop across the generator out-
put wire between the generator B+ terminal and the
positive battery post.
PREPARATION
Before starting test, make sure the vehicle has a
fully charged battery. Tests and procedures to check
for a fully charged battery is shown in the Battery
section. (1) Turn the ignition switch OFF.
(2) Disconnect battery NEGATIVE cable.
(3) Disconnect the generator B+ output wire from
the generator output battery terminal (Fig. 2). (4) Connect a 0-150 ampere scale (DC) ammeter in
series between B+ terminal and output wire (Fig. 2
and 3). Connect positive lead to B+ terminal, and
negative lead to output wire. (5) Using o-18 volt scale voltmeter, connect the
positive lead to the disconnected (B+) output wire
(Fig. 2). Connect the negative lead to positive battery
post. (6) Remove fresh air hose between Powertrain
Control Module and air cleaner if necessary. (7) Connect jumper wire between a good ground
and K20 circuit terminal at the back of the genera-
tor.
CAUTION: Do not connect the A142 circuit terminal
(Fig. 2) to ground the Fusible link will burn.
(8) Connect an engine tachometer and connect bat-
tery negative cable. (10) Connect a volt/amp tester equipped with a
variable carbon pile rheostat between battery termi-
nals (Fig. 4).
Caution: Be sure the carbon pile is in OFF position
before connecting leads.
TEST
(1) Start engine. Immediately after starting, re-
duce engine speed to idle. (2) Adjust engine speed and carbon pile to main-
tain 20 amperes flowing in the circuit. Observe volt-
meter reading. Voltmeter reading should not exceed
0.5 volts.
RESULTS
If a higher voltage drop is shown, inspect, clean
and tighten all connections between generator B+
terminal and battery positive post. A voltage drop
test may be performed at each connection to locate a
connection with excessive resistance. If resistance
tests are satisfactory, reduce engine speed, turn off
carbon pile, and turn off ignition switch. (1) Disconnect battery negative cable.
(2) Remove test ammeter, voltmeter, carbon pile,
and tachometer. (3) Remove jumper wire.
(4) Connect generator output wire to generator B+
terminal. (5) Connect battery negative cable.
(6) Connect fresh air hose between Powertrain
Control Module and air cleaner if removed.
CURRENT OUTPUT TEST
The current output test decides whether the gener-
ator can deliver its rated current output. For gener-
ator identification and output amperage
specifications, refer to Generator Specifications. For generator maximum voltage at individual tem-
peratures, refer to Generator Output Voltage Specifi-
cations.
PREPARATION
Before starting any tests, make sure the vehicle
has a fully charged battery. Tests and procedures to
check for a fully charged battery is shown in Battery
section. (1) Disconnect battery negative cable.
(2) Disconnect output wire at the B+ terminal
(Figs. 2 and 5). (3) Connect a 0-150 ampere scale (DC) ammeter in
series between the B+ terminal and output wire.
Connect Positive lead to B+ terminal and negative
lead to output wire. (4) Using 0-18 voltmeter, connect positive lead to
B+ terminal (Figs. 2 and 5). Connect negative lead
to a good ground.
Ä BATTERY/STARTING/CHARGING SYSTEMS DIAGNOSTICS 8A - 19
Page 392 of 2438
Fig. 1 Charging Diagnostics
8A - 20 BATTERY/STARTING/CHARGING SYSTEMS DIAGNOSTICS Ä