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Starter Performance Test

  1. Disconnect the wires from the "S" terminal and the "M" terminal.
  2. Make the connections as described below using as heavy a wire as possible (preferably equivalent to the wire used for the vehicle). To avoid damaging the starter, never leave the battery connected for more than 10 seconds.
  3. Connect the battery. See Fig 1 . Be sure to disconnect the starter motor wire from the solenoid. If the starter pinion moves out, it is working properly.
  4. Disconnect the battery from the "M" terminal. If the pinion does not retract, the hold-in coil of the solenoid is working properly. See Fig 2 .
  5. Disconnect the battery from the starter body. If the pinion retracts immediately, it is working properly. See Fig 3 .
  6. Clamp the starter firmly in a vise.
  7. Connect the starter to the battery, and confirm that the motor starts and keeps rotating. See Fig 4 .
  8. If the electric current and motor speed meet the specifications when the battery voltage is at 11.5 V, the starter is working properly. See STARTER PERFORMANCE TEST SPECIFICATIONS  .
STARTER PERFORMANCE TEST SPECIFICATIONS

Application (1) Maximum Amps @ Minimum RPM
Starter 80 @ 2600
(1) Battery voltage must stay at 11.5 volts or more during test.
Fig 1: Connecting Battery To Starter
G00308237Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Fig 2: Disconnecting Battery From "M"Terminal
G00308238Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Fig 3: Disconnecting Battery From Starter Body
G00308239Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Fig 4: Connecting Starter To Battery
G00308241Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.