vehicles with a manual transmission, the clutch
pedal must be fully depressed for this test. Check for
battery voltage at the cavity for relay terminal 86
with the ignition switch in the Start position, and no
voltage when the ignition switch is released to the
On position. If OK, go to Step 5. If not OK with an
automatic transmission, check for an open or short
circuit to the ignition switch and repair, if required.
If the circuit to the ignition switch is OK, see the
Ignition Switch Test procedure in this group. If not
OK with a manual transmission, check the circuit
between the relay and the clutch pedal position
switch for an open or a short. If the circuit is OK, see
the Clutch Pedal Position Switch Test procedure in
this group.
(5) The coil ground terminal (85) is connected to
the electromagnet in the relay. On vehicles with an
automatic transmission, it is grounded through the
park/neutral position switch only when the gearshift
selector lever is in the Park or Neutral positions. On
vehicles with a manual transmission, it is grounded
at all times. Check for continuity to ground at the
cavity for relay terminal 85. If not OK with an auto-
matic transmission, check for an open or short circuit
to the park/neutral position switch and repair, if
required. If the circuit is OK, see the Park/Neutral
Position Switch Test procedure in this group. If not
OK with a manual transmission, repair the circuit to
ground as required.
SAFETY SWITCHES
For diagnostics,
²Clutch Pedal Position Switch, refer to Group 6,
Clutch.
²Park/Neutral Position Switch, refer to Group 21,
Transaxle
IGNITION SWITCH
After testing starter solenoid and relay, test igni-
tion switch and wiring. Refer to Group 8D, Ignition
Systems or Group 8W, Wiring Diagrams. Check all
wiring for opens or shorts, and all connectors for
being loose or corroded.
BATTERY
Refer to Group 8A, Battery for proper procedures.
ALL RELATED WIRING AND CONNECTORS
Refer to Group 8W, Wiring Diagrams,
FEED CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TEST
Before proceeding with this operation, review Diag-
nostic Preparation and Starter Feed Circuit Tests.
The following operation will require a voltmeter,
accurate to 1/10 of a volt.
CAUTION: Before performing any starter tests, the
ignition and fuel systems must be disabled.
(1) To disable the ignition and fuel systems, dis-
connect the Automatic Shutdown Relay (ASD). The
ASD relay is located in the Power Distribution Cen-
ter (PDC). Refer to the PDC cover for proper relay
location.
(2) With all wiring harnesses and components
properly connected, perform the following:
(a) Connect the negative lead of the voltmeter to
the battery negative post, and positive lead to the
battery negative cable clamp (Fig. 2). 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
battery positive post, and negative lead to the bat-
tery positive 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 battery
negative terminal, and positive lead to engine
Fig. 2 Test Battery Connection Resistance
NSSTARTER 8B - 3
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)
block near the battery cable attaching point (Fig.
3). 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) Connect positive voltmeter lead to the starter
motor housing and the negative lead to the battery
negative terminal (Fig. 4). Hold the ignition switchkey in the START position. If voltage reads above 0.2
volt, correct poor starter to engine ground.
(a) Connect the positive voltmeter lead to the
battery positive terminal, and negative lead to bat-
tery cable terminal on starter solenoid (Fig. 5).
Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the START
position. If voltage reads above 0.2 volt, correct
poor contact at battery cable to solenoid connec-
tion. If reading is still above 0.2 volt after correct-
ing poor contacts, replace battery positive cable.
(b) If resistance tests do not detect feed circuit
failures, remove the starter motor and go to
Starter Solenoid Test in this Group.
FEED CIRCUIT TEST
The following procedure will require a suitable
volt-ampere tester (Fig. 6).
Fig. 4 Test Starter Motor Ground
Fig. 3 Test Ground Circuit Resistance
Fig. 5 Test Battery Positive Cable Resistance
Fig. 6 Volt Ampere Tester
8B - 4 STARTERNS
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)
CAUTION: Before performing any starter tests, the
ignition and fuel systems must be disabled.
(1) Connect a volt-ampere tester to the battery ter-
minals (Fig. 7). Refer to the operating instructions
provided with the tester being used.
(2) To disable the ignition and fuel systems, dis-
connect the Automatic Shutdown Relay (ASD). The
ASD relay is located in the Power Distribution Cen-
ter (PDC). Refer to the PDC cover for proper relay
location. The 2.5L Diesel Engine, to disable the
engine from starting, disconnect wire connector from
the Fuel Solenoid.
(3) Verify that all lights and accessories are OFF,
and the transmission shift selector is in the PARK
position or with the clutch pedal depressed and SET
parking brake.
CAUTION: Do not overheat the starter motor or
draw the battery voltage below 9.6 volts during
cranking operations.
(4) Rotate and hold the ignition switch in the
START position. Observe the volt-ampere tester (Fig.
6).
²If voltage reads above 9.6 volts, and amperage
draw reads above 280 amps or the Diesel engine
above 450 amps, check for engine seizing or faulty
starter.
²If voltage reads 12.4 volts or greater and amper-
age reads 0 to 10 amps, check for corroded cables
and/or bad connections.
²Voltage below 9.6 volts and amperage draw
above 300 amps or Diesel engine above 500 amps,
the problem is the starter. Replace the starter refer
to starter removal.
(5) After the starting system problems have been
corrected, verify the battery state-of-charge and
charge battery if necessary. Disconnect all testingequipment and connect ASD relay or the Fuel Sole-
noid. Start the vehicle several times to assure the
problem has been corrected.
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
STARTERÐ2.4L ENGINE
REMOVAL
(1) Release hood latch and open hood.
(2) Disconnect battery negative cable (Fig. 8).
(3) Hoist and support vehicle on safety stands.
(4) Disconnect solenoid wire connector from termi-
nal.
(5) Remove nut holding B+ wire to terminal.
(6) Disconnect solenoid and B+ wires from starter
terminals.
(7) Remove bolts holding starter to transaxle bell-
housing (Fig. 9).
(8) Remove starter.
Fig. 7 Volt-Ampere Tester Connections
Fig. 8 Battery Negative Cable
Fig. 9 Starter±2.4L Engine
NSSTARTER 8B - 5
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)
INSTALLATION
(1) Place starter in position on vehicle.
(2) Install bolts to hold starter to transaxle bell-
housing.
(3) Place solenoid and B+ wires in position on
starter terminals.
(4) Install nut to hold B+ wire to terminal.
(5) Connect solenoid wire connector onto terminal.
(6) Lower vehicle.
(7) Connect battery negative cable.
(8) Verify starter operation.
STARTERÐ3.0L ENGINE
REMOVAL
(1) Release hood latch and open hood.
(2) Disconnect battery negative cable (Fig. 8).
(3) Hoist and support vehicle on safety stands.
(4) Remove nut holding solenoid wire to terminal
(Fig. 10).
(5) Remove nut holding B+ wire to terminal (Fig.
6)
(6) Disconnect solenoid and B+ wires from starter
terminals.
(7) Remove bolts holding starter to transaxle bell-
housing (Fig. 11).
(8) Remove starter.
INSTALLATION
(1) Place starter in position on vehicle.
(2) Install bolts to hold starter to transaxle bell-
housing.
(3) Place solenoid and B+ wires in position on
starter terminals.
(4) Install nut to hold B+ wire to terminal.
(5) Install nut to hold solenoid wire to terminal.
(6) Lower vehicle.
(7) Connect battery negative cable.
(8) Verify starter operation.
STARTERÐ3.3/3.8L ENGINE
REMOVAL
(1) Release hood latch and open hood.
(2) Disconnect battery negative cable (Fig. 8).
(3) Hoist and support vehicle on safety stands.
(4) Remove nut holding B+ terminal to starter
solenoid (Fig. 12).
(5) Disconnect solenoid connector from starter.
(6) Remove bolts holding starter to transaxle bell-
housing (Fig. 13).
(7) Remove starter from bellhousing (Fig. 14).
(8) Separate starter spacer from transaxle bell-
housing.
INSTALLATION
(1) Place starter spacer in position on transaxle
bellhousing, flange toward flywheel.
(2) Place starter in position on bellhousing.
(3) Install bolts to hold starter to transaxle bell-
housing.
Fig. 10 Wire Connectors
Fig. 11 Starter±3.0L Engine
Fig. 12 Wire Connectors
8B - 6 STARTERNS
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)
(4) Connect solenoid connector into starter.
(5) Install nut to hold B+ terminal to starter sole-
noid.
(6) Lower vehicle.
(7) Connect battery negative cable.(8) Verify starter operation.
SPECIFICATIONS
STARTER
Engine should be up to operating temperature.
Extremely heavy oil or tight engine will increase
starter amperage draw.
TORQUE
DESCRIPTION TORQUE
Starter Mounting Bolts.........54N´m(40ft.lbs.)
Starter Solenoid Battery Nut. . . .10 N´m (90 in. lbs.)
Fig. 13 Starter Bolts
Fig. 14 Starter±3.3/3.8L Engine
MANUFACTURER NIPPONDENSO
Engine Application 2.4L /3.0L /3.3/3.8L
Power rating 1.2 Kw
Voltage 12 VOLTS
No. of Fields 4
No. of Poles 4
Brushes 4
Drive Conventional Gear Train
Free running Test
Voltage 11
Amperage Draw 73 Amp
Minimum Speed 3401 RPM
SolenoidClosing Voltage 7.5 Volts
Cranking Amperage Draw
test150 - 200 Amps.
NSSTARTER 8B - 7
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)
STARTING SYSTEM
CONTENTS
page
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
STARTER ............................. 1
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
STARTER
2.0L ENGINE
REMOVAL
(1) Disconnect battery negative cable (Fig. 1).
(2) Raise vehicle.
(3) Disconnect solenoid wire connector from termi-
nal.
(4) Remove nut holding B+ wire to terminal.
(5) Disconnect solenoid and B+ wires from starter
terminals.
(6) Remove bolts holding starter to transaxle bell-
housing (Fig. 2).
(7) Remove starter.INSTALLATION
(1) Place starter in position on vehicle.
(2) Install starter attaching bolts to transaxle bell-
housing and tighten to the proper torque.
(3) Place solenoid and B+ wires in position on
starter terminals.
(4) Install nut to hold B+ wire to terminal.
(5) Connect solenoid wire connector onto terminal.
(6) Lower vehicle.
(7) Connect battery negative cable.
(8) Verify starter operation.
Fig. 1 Battery Negative Cable
Fig. 2 Starter - 2.0L Engine
NS/GSSTARTING SYSTEM 8B - 1
2.4L ENGINE - With Manual Transaxle
REMOVAL
(1) Release hood latch and open hood.
(2) Disconnect battery negative cable (Fig. 1).
(3) Hoist and support vehicle on safety stands.
(4) Disconnect solenoid wire connector from termi-
nal.
(5) Remove nut holding B+ wire to terminal.
(6) Disconnect solenoid and B+ wires from starter
terminals.
(7) Remove bolts holding starter to transaxle bell-
housing (Fig. 3).
(8) Remove starter.
INSTALLATION
(1) Place starter in position on vehicle.
(2) Install starter attaching bolts to transaxle bell-
housing and tighten to the proper torque.(3) Place solenoid and B+ wires in position on
starter terminals.
(4) Install nut to hold B+ wire to terminal.
(5) Connect solenoid wire connector onto terminal.
(6) Lower vehicle.
(7) Connect battery negative cable.
(8) Verify starter operation.
2.4L ENGINE - With Automatic Transaxle
REMOVAL
(1) Release hood latch and open hood.
(2) Disconnect battery negative cable (Fig. 1).
(3) Hoist and support vehicle on safety stands.
(4) Disconnect solenoid wire connector from termi-
nal.
(5) Remove nut holding B+ wire to terminal.
(6) Disconnect solenoid and B+ wires from starter
terminals.
Fig. 3 Starter - 2.4L Engine with Manual Transaxle
8B - 2 STARTING SYSTEMNS/GS
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)
(7) Remove bolts holding starter to transaxle bell-
housing (Fig. 4).
(8) Remove starter.
INSTALLATION
(1) Place starter in position on vehicle.
(2) Install starter attaching bolts to transaxle bell-
housing and tighten to the proper torque
(3) Place solenoid and B+ wires in position on
starter terminals.
(4) Install nut to hold B+ wire to terminal.
(5) Connect solenoid wire connector onto terminal.
(6) Lower vehicle.
(7) Connect battery negative cable.
(8) Verify starter operation.
3.0L ENGINE
REMOVAL
(1) Release hood latch and open hood.
(2) Disconnect battery negative cable (Fig. 1).
(3) Hoist and support vehicle on safety stands.
(4) Remove nut holding solenoid wire to terminal
(Fig. 5).(5) Remove nut holding B+ wire to terminal (Fig.
6)
(6) Disconnect solenoid and B+ wires from starter
terminals.
Fig. 4 Starter - 2.4L Engine with Automatic Transaxle
Fig. 5 Wire Connectors
NS/GSSTARTING SYSTEM 8B - 3
REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)