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How to Test the Starter Motor Without Removing It

Model: (Various brands) Various
Part: Starter motor

Learn how to test a vehicle's starter motor without removing it. Lift the car and place it on axle stands: you will need two crocodile clips and an electrical cable. Locate the starter motor, and find the two cables, one that is always live connected to the positive terminal of the battery and the 'command' cable connected to a small terminal that activates the motor. Disconnect the latter, connect one end of the test cable to the command terminal of the motor, and the other end to the positive terminal of the battery. Touch the clip to the positive terminal of the battery: as soon as contact is made, you should hear a strong 'click' (the solenoid engaging) and see the motor turn and engage the flywheel. If there is no reaction, or only a click and then the motor does not move, or turns slowly, or turns without engaging the flywheel, then there is clearly a problem with the motor.

Posted on 4 August 2026 by ScegliAuto

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