Testing starter

[Jozi]

I think the starter I have might be fooked or the solenoid is stuck, is there any way of testing it?

When I went to start the engine it clicked and there might have been another click-like sound from it at the same time and now nothing.

[Grrrmachine]

simplest thing to do is a Diagnostic plug start, but I don't know how to do that on an M52.

[lamby]

run a live from batt to starter if it clicks hit the solenoid with a long bar or rock the car back and forth in gear

[daimlerman]

Doubt that the solinoid is stuck,the starter pinion may well be jammed in the ring-gear,though.

Usual way to free the swine is to rock the car with it in gear(handbrake/ign off,of course)

Perhaps in your situation,forwards/backwards on the crank nose may free it?

Or bench test,anchor the swine in a vice and apply 12v?

[Jozi]

run a live from batt to starter if it clicks hit the solenoid with a long bar or rock the car back and forth in gear

No clutch or drive shaft (or wheels for that matter). There's already a live feed from the battery straight to the starter, I'd have to ground it maybe?

---edit---

I've turned the engine by hand but only the correct way around, I can try turn it the other way?

[Speedtouch]

There will be a couple of terminals on the solenoid, the cylindrical part that attaches to the main body of the motor. One of these terminals will go into the motor. You need to apply a +12V feed to the other (usually outermost) terminal - you can run a length of bell wire or similar to it from the battery + terminal.

This will then operate the solenoid, and pass the main feed into the starter motor.

[Jozi]

This is from the wiki, which terminals do I bridge to test it?

The bottom one I think goes to the alternator, the top (smallest) one into the engine loom - or it's the other way around I'd need to be out at the car again. The big central one goes to the starter and also the battery.

[Speedtouch]

If you want to test just the starter motor, jam a big screwdriver in between the two large terminals - that will effectively do what the solenoid does, and switch the main current feed from the battery into the motor.

Looking at that photo, the uppermost small terminal is the ignition-switched live (+12V) that triggers the solenoid into closing; as you say, the lower small terminal appears to be connected to the main +12V feed (thick red cable) so is probably going to the alternator field terminal.

To test the solenoid AND motor, jam the screwdriver between the red cable terminal and the uppermost small terminal.

Obviously, ensure the car is in neutral, with ignition off and handbrake on prior to doing these tests, and be prepared for some sparking as you bridge the terminals.

[Jozi]

Joined the big wire with the top smaller on using a screwdriver, i got a kind of humming noise so I quickly cut the power at the battery. Pretty sure the starter isnt doing what it should.

[Rav335uk]

Is your battery FULLY charged Brendan?

[Jozi]

Yeah brand new battery, showing 12.50ish volts - I would assume it's fully charged anyway!

[Speedtouch]

Sometimes my Fiat twin-cam's starter motor jams. A good clout with a club hammer usually frees it off.

[Brianmoooore]

Everything in this post so far suggests a flat battery or poor earth connections between the motor and battery negative.

[Jozi]

Everything in this post so far suggests a flat battery or poor earth connections between the motor and battery negative.

I'm going to check all my earths, there could be some corrosion here and there.


Got the starter tested and the solenoid is gone, getting it replaced and what ever else is needed.