Starter Performance Test

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2006 Honda Odyssey and 2005 Honda Odyssey. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Disconnect the wire from the M terminal.
Make a connection as shown in Fig 1 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.

Fig 1: Identifying Battery Connection
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Connect the battery as shown in Fig 2 . Make sure you disconnect the starter motor wire from the solenoid. If the starter pinion moves out, it is working properly.
Disconnect the battery from the M terminal. If the pinion does not retract, the hold-in coil of the solenoid is working properly.

Fig 2: Disconnecting Battery From M Terminal
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Disconnect the battery from the starter body. If the pinion retracts immediately, it is working properly.

Fig 3: Disconnecting Battery From Starter Body
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
Firmly clamp the starter in a vise.
Reconnect the wire to the M terminal.
Connect the starter to the battery as shown in Fig 4 , and check that the motor starts and keeps rotating.

Fig 4: Connecting Starter To Battery
Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.
If the electric current and motor speed meet the specifications when the battery voltage is at 11 V, the starter is working properly.
1. Specifications
  - Electric Current: 80 A or less
  - Motor Speed: 2,600 rpm or more