Is This Normal Starter Operation? (bench Test)

jpr21b · July 31, 2010

I thought the plungers were supposed to extend? looks like this is diff on my chevy then it is on my saturn... is this normal?

see video of benchtest below

2002 silverado 1500 4x4 v8 5.3L ext cab (z71) 90k miles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdpyGoU_3G4

I don't have a good switch so I just sort of ghetto "jumped it" with my portable battery starter

I have the positive cable going to the B+ terminal and then just ground it to the heavy frame as you can see

I have reviewed other starter bench tests for diff vehicles and it appears this thing should "POP" out and it is clearly not? Looks like a dead starter?

Advice needed

Zembonez · July 31, 2010

In order to test the starter, you have to ground it, put the power lead to the positive cable terminal and then jump the solenoid. I can't tell how you have it wired there. The starter is running but I can't tell if you are powering up the solenoid or not.

Dmas · July 31, 2010

I thought the plungers were supposed to extend? looks like this is diff on my chevy then it is on my saturn... is this normal?

see video of benchtest below

2002 silverado 1500 4x4 v8 5.3L ext cab (z71) 90k miles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdpyGoU_3G4

I don't have a good switch so I just sort of ghetto "jumped it" with my portable battery starter

I have the positive cable going to the B+ terminal and then just ground it to the heavy frame as you can see

I have reviewed other starter bench tests for diff vehicles and it appears this thing should "POP" out and it is clearly not? Looks like a dead starter?

Advice needed

something is wrong there, looks like the drive bendix is stucked..there's a bunch of videos on youtube on how to fix that.

jpr21b · July 31, 2010

In order to test the starter, you have to ground it, put the power lead to the positive cable terminal and then jump the solenoid. I can't tell how you have it wired there. The starter is running but I can't tell if you are powering up the solenoid or not.

ok, ill take a pic of it. I figured I may be doing something wrong, HAYNES manual isn't very specific w/ the bench testing process.

dlstewart01 · July 31, 2010

jpr21b · July 31, 2010

that's the same one from my Haynes manual. It doesnt make sense to me because there are 3 terminal posts on the actual solenoid and it's confusing

here's a pic of the actual solenoid

I first had the positive battery cable attached to the post where the blue wire is and then I grounded it and it made the starter rotate but not plunge

I then tried putting the positive battery cable on the long post opposite of the blue wire, then grounded the negative to the frame, and then used a jumper wire thing to the other post and it made the starter rotate but not plunge

sort of confused

dlstewart01 · July 31, 2010

jpr21b · July 31, 2010

I can't tell which one of the 2 taller posts is the positive solenoid terminal

lol?

EDIT: maybe this will make it easier,

could someone describe to me what those three posts and describe where exactly they are located on the solenoid?

Dmas · July 31, 2010

the big stud with the blue wire is the positive and other big stud is negative....you probably have a stucked bendix drive......check youtube you will find tons of videos on how to fix that.

Also..are you using a fully charged battery to do the test???

jpr21b · July 31, 2010

the big stud with the blue wire is the positive and other big stud is negative....you probably have a stucked bendix drive......check youtube you will find tons of videos on how to fix that.

Also..are you using a fully charged battery to do the test???

I'm recharging the battery for a full charge now

I can't find any videos on youtube about a stuck bendix drive, do you have any links?

bossier62guy · July 31, 2010

I first had the positive battery cable attached to the post where the blue wire is and then I grounded it and it made the starter rotate but not plunge

I then tried putting the positive battery cable on the long post opposite of the blue wire, then grounded the negative to the frame, and then used a jumper wire thing to the other post and it made the starter rotate but not plunge

sort of confused

Sounds like your second attempt was correctly done. You obviously have a problem w/ the solenoid. BTW, You do not attach a ground wire to the solenoid, the starter is grounded to the engine block when it's mounted.

Dmas · July 31, 2010

try this one...he explains the whole system...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxjPpytfnv0

but test it with a fully charged battery, maybe the battery didn't have enough juice to power it.

bossier62guy · July 31, 2010

try this one...he explains the whole system...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxjPpytfnv0

but test it with a fully charged battery, maybe the battery didn't have enough juice to power it.

This isn't rocket science folks .....the large terminal w/ the wiring running to the starter is just what it seems, the starter motor to the solenoid connection. The positive battery cable goes on the other large stud. The smaller stud is connected to the starter relay that happens to be energized by the ignition switch. Apply 12v to the battery connection and the relay connection and it should do it's thing.

Why did you pull it out in the first place?

jpr21b · July 31, 2010

Why did you pull it out in the first place?

vehicle would not turn over or start, tried starting vehicle in all different gears, crankshaft is not seized, no blown fuses I could see, battery was tested and is fine, terminals are all clean.

figured it had to be the starter

bossier62guy · July 31, 2010

Why did you pull it out in the first place?

vehicle would not turn over or start, tried starting vehicle in all different gears, crankshaft is not seized, no blown fuses I could see, battery was tested and is fine, terminals are all clean.

figured it had to be the starter

Gotcha....well the starter motor seems to be working just fine. Obviously the solenoid isn't doing it's job. Unfortunately I don't think you can replace just the solenoid....at least it's not showing available at 3 well known auto parts stores.