How to quickly test starter

CyFi6

Aliens.
Oct 11, 2007
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Ive got the oh too common starter problem of no crank. When i turn the key to start i hear the relay click, and i hear the starter gear click out to the flywheel and hold in, but no crank. I already fully tested and cleaned the relay and contacts in the relay and it is all fine. I checked all the connections that i can and cleaned the battery terminal connections. I did a load test on the battery and it performed just fine. Sometimes if i click the key to start repeatedly for a bunch of times it will crank, but rather slowly sometimes and inconsistantly, sort or like it stutters a little while its cranking. Sounds kind of like brushes, but i tried tapping the starter with a hammer while trying to crank and got nothing. Ended up having to push start it today.

Anyways my main question is if there is any way i can hook power up to the starter directly from the battery and try cranking without the ignition switch to rule out any of the cars wiring(anything outside the starter itself). I dont want to replace the starter if i dont need to because i read it could be an ignition switch or the long length of wiring going to the passenger side kick panel. ALSO, i did test the clutch safety switch and it worked fine.

Thanks a lot for the help!
 

IJ.

Grumpy Old Man
Mar 30, 2005
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You need some wire a high current momentary switch and some terminals

There is a 4mm wire that plugs into the starter if you apply 12v there it will crank, it draws quite a bit of current so a good switch is needed.
 

CyFi6

Aliens.
Oct 11, 2007
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ive got one of those at school, il use that. Also do i just run a positive lead to the copper terminal on the engine side of the starter to eliminate problems with that wire?
 

IJ.

Grumpy Old Man
Mar 30, 2005
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Battery+ to the Small square connector on the starter.

starter.jpg
 

Dr Chill

4 hungry Supras
Nov 27, 2007
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I Had the same problem, I tested the starter directly from the + battery terminal and the starter worked , then the ignitoin worked soon after , I replaced the + cable from the battery to the starter and the engine starts fine now