HOW to test a STARTER MOTOR, DIY wiring diagram, and troubleshoot EXPLAINED

Perfect video! I just needed a little more visual representation. This was perfect!! Thanks for making it!

👍👍👍👍

So what causes it to spin & not engage the flywheel.

So my question here is where do you put a wire for an HEI distributor on this

Bendix

Oh, S***, that is what mine is doing exactly, "Free-spinning." (edited) watched it to the end, but didn't show how to resolve the starter "free-spin" problem, bench tested my (new starter) starter, works fine, in the car it still free-spins.

Thats nice , easey to understand , thanks

Your Awesome i am 58 yrs old and started to wk on car age of 16 yrs old and you remind me of old school auto mechanics. Thx 4 sharing Ann’s helping out with this video❤

Hmm, thank you. The 'shop' said i need a new starter, orielys tested it, and first said my battery was low, i asked what that was, and she said its failing. Then she completed the starter test, er in the car not off, and said it was fine, passed the test. She wouldnt explain what kind of a test that was. I got my battery there and it still is under warranty, but she told me not to get a new one till i fix the problem whatever it was. When i turn the key over, there is a low growing sound very loud, first time i jumped in the seat. I had noticed the last few times before this noise that when i turned the key instead of it starting, i also had to give it gas, which made it zoom, even though i just tried to hit the gas fast and release. then the other day when i started it at the post office it growled at me. OK She, orielys said it battery was at 20%, I said so if its not the starter what is it? she said, it could still be the starter. is it my battery? you said to use a good battery for the test, this is a 2003 malibu less than 10 inches from the ground, i have been thinking of buying plastic ramps that might lift it another 7-8 inches? i dont know but the warranty is only for 6 months, and i dont want that car to smash my arms and head it they collapse! im in my 70's, ok i hope you have time and patience enough to answer me soon? i know this is old but i hope you check your emails every day. Thank you for this, i understood it all, actually very easy to understand. Not like wiring my house but very similar

H Chris. Great videos! So the yellow wire going to my starter on my 69 Nova isn't used at all? I'm using the stock wiring harness which happens to be in decent condition. I can tape back the yellow wire or cut it out completely if it's not used. My purple wire has a round bolt on terminal end and my mini starter has a male spade lug connection on it at the "S" connector. No biggie. I'll cut the factory lug off and put a female spade lug in its place.

awesome video . A 5 year old could understand this video. Thanks for giving your knowledge out . Keep up the great job .

Good job. My 2011 Hyundai Sonata sounded just like your starter. It was free spinning. In my case Hyundai used a cheap $8 plastic fork to engage the gear on the solenoid. So the fork breaks at its weakest link and the starter free spins. I bought the part from Sonata for $8 and replaced it and works just fine. Most starters have a metal fork Hyundai and Kia use a plastic fork. Same problem different reason.

Excellent video. I was also wondering if you were to put a fuse on the power wire that goes from the battery to the starter what gauge fuse should you use.

Thanks good job

Hi
Might my question gonna sound stupid so sorry for this first😃
I'm just only starter learned car electronics..
So my question is if the starter motor need about 200amp for the start and a 4AWG wire can only do 75-100amp how is it gives for the starter motor 200amp?
Might it sounds stupid but I'm getting confused now..
Thanks in advance for anyone who's answers for me😊

Because my starter is running free but when I bench test it the celinoid is kicking so I was thinking maybe it’s the ignition wire can this wire cause the celinoid not to kick or is it that I have to replace my celinoid switch???

If there is a break in the wire from the ignition a fuse blown will it turn the starter???

Wish I could draw as well as you do , great explanation for sure . Thanks so much

Maybe I'm slow and dense, but what we wrong with other starter that was whirling? I had similiar symptoms. (also when i originally tried to bench test, i was using thinner wire which obviously wouldn't carry the current,, rofl. switched to jumpers for thickness, worked great) It worked on bench, then when i put it on car, just a whirl, no plunger to engage flywheel, quite annoying since the starter on said vehicle was on bottom and it took literally hours to get it on. (just really bad spot and i decided NOT to remove anything, so i was going under engine, beside the alternator, just in the middle of everything, close to no view of the 2 bolt holes on the trans so it was a blind install really).

I'm waiting for new oem starter to come in after weekend. I've been bingeing starter videos to try to understand. I kinda get it, but nowhere near your level where you're able to freehand schmatics and such, damn bro. I've been into cars for a bit and have put many parts on np. but to understand the entire process and when things go wrong, being able to diagnose. I suppose the more i expose myself to this kind of material the more i'll "get it". I'm the go to mechanic for my family. I understand complex things for the most part (engine and transmission) but for some reason the easier stuff freezes me up. like.. what??? The sad part, i'm highly into electrical, and yet i'm trying to diagnose and understand starting system. Repetition is my best asset right now. Thanks for this video! Great explanations.

Damn! That was AWESOME. Not just "how to" but the CONTEXT which enables us to create our own how to.
Its like giving someone a map vs directions .
A map is 1000x better then "Left / Right" directions. Cuz if something goes awry your screwed, with a map you never screwed. Plus with a map you may see a way that works better for you. INSTANT sub!!

very good and simple

Should be a college professor. Great explanation!

I've got a 1990 Dodge W250 5 speed truck that won't crank or start. How do I identify the the neutral safety switch?

Hello

Realy hope you can help me.

Iv got a Fiat 128 1974 model

My starter ONLY keep crunking (stuck) if cold. Then i take of negative from battery and it stops. Then put cable back. Then start easy whole day. No problem.

In morning it stuck when start for 1st time the day. Its summer now in South Africa. But in winter it stuck 2 to 3 times. Then no problem to start.

If car is in sun. And start for 1st time the day sometime start 1st time without keep cranking. Sometimes keep crancking ONLY ones. Then start easy.

After it starts. I switch of and starts again. I did it 6 times. Off and start off and start. No no no problem.

Rrrrealy hope someone no what cause this. Thanks so much.

does the negative wire connect to the alternator or just the bracket?

my starter spins like that but works fine bench testing it. Could it be a voltage drop somewhere?

Man you saved me on my yukon I thought the black wire on the starter was the ground wire 🙄💯💪😁

I purchased a new starter motor for my Same Corsaro 70 Tractor. The tractor starts in about 3 seconds during which time a loud rattling sound comes from the Starter Motor. Does anyone have any ideas.

ground pole of battery can be connected directly to the terminal of selenoid valve with strap wire or does it really have to be connected to the starter motor housing?

So do you need the fuse link?

Ahlafirmy Bey, thanks peace

The inside of the main power post is fried. You can take the solenoid apart and flip the washer part of the post over( rotate it 180 degrees) and your gold ,,its fixed

Just trying to wire my skid steer to 313 I got a 4 lb ignition switch just need to know where the wires go you can send me a diagram that be great do you have to ground the ignition switch I need to know where all the poles go to thank you

Chris bro the last two times I've rewired my truck the sob caught on fire directly by the starter , almost lost a lot of money yesterday due to lmc dash,seats ect...I just seen u mentioned grounding the starter??? Bro please tell me this is my problem, I never tried running a ground wire from starter to frame , would that be the reason my shit is catching fire every time,??

Hey Chris, Great videos. One more thing is that the neutral safety switch can be used to run a hidden ignition cutoff switch to prevent theft. Just be sure to let any potential driver know where it is. It can be a handy addition without having to cut/splice into the factory wiring.

So wait its not 3 wires that have to be connected? Red purple and the two bolts are what grounds it to engine block or am I missing something. I have a 2005 impala attempting to change starter. Thought i had it when i reconnected the battery car started trying to crank immediately no key in the ignition

Forgot the wire that goes to the alternator

what i had been looking for - Thanks so much AAA++++++++++++++++++ - i understand now

Great video! Thank you

So ive been having issues with my 2008 dodge ram 2500. When I go to start it it will click 1 time each time I turn the key. Sometimes when I put it neutral it will start right up. Sometimes I have to bump it multiple times in Park/neutral. Recently went to start it no click, charged battery still the same, tryed shifting it into neutral and back to park same. so unhooked battery for a few min, hooked it back up and it started after a couple trys but then all the gears were lit and had the square around all indicating it was in all gears. When I went to pull off it corrected and had the square around the drive position... Ive replaced starter and battery last year and altinator a couple mts ago. Would you maby have any ideas what it might be? Was thinking neutral safety switch or wireless control module. Would love to hear what you think it may be. Thnx in advance.

Most “smaller” modern starters use permanent magnet motors. They create more torque with less amp draw than the old conventional wound starters. Unfortunately, aftermarket parts are absolute shit now days. We use Chevy trucks for our fleet. We have hundreds of 1/2 and 3/4 ton Silverado’s. Never really have starter issues but they are all 2010 and newer so it may be a design change after that body style.

Best video I've seen. Thanks.

I had the same thing with my mustang the starter was not engaging just spinning

Thanks for the great video. Very informative. I have two questions -
First, Is it necessary to use a 10awg wire from the neutral safety switch to the starter when post or pigtail for the signal looks like 16-18awg is there too much resistance in the long thin wire?
Secondly, on my LS swap into a thirdgen I get a loud click when the bendix gear engages but no crank. Sometimes I can get it to start after 15-20 tries other time not at all. When car is hit, it becomes more difficult to crank. Brand new AC Delco and high torque mini starters bench tested both with same result.
Any suggestions where to look since both starters are good and I am able to start it if persistent but it’s getting worse.

what if the cable feel warm after start ?

Great video

Well done! Thank you.