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Home >> Acura >> 2003 >> 1.7EL Standard >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Electrical >> Starter >> Starting System >> Starter Circuit Troubleshooting >> Alternate Procedure

Alternate Procedure

  1. Hook up the following equipment:
    • Ammeter, 0-400 A
    • Voltmeter, 0-20 V (accurate within 0.1 volt)
    • Tachometer, 0-1200 RPM
    Fig 1: Hooking Up Ammeter, Voltmeter & Tachometer
    G01960965
  2. Remove the No. 46 (15 A) fuse from the under-dash fuse/relay box.
  3. With the shift lever in N or P (A/T), or the clutch pedal pressed (M/T), turn the ignition switch to start (III).

    Did the starter crank the engine normally? 

    1. YES  - The starting system is OK.
    2. NO  - If the starter won't crank at all, go to step 4. If it cranks the engine erratically or too slowly, go to step  7 . If it won't disengage from the flywheel or torque converter ring gear when you release the key, check for the following until you find the cause.
      • Solenoid plunger and switch malfunction
      • Dirty drive gear or damaged overrunning clutch
  4. Check the battery condition. Check electrical connections at the battery and the starter for looseness and corrosion. Then check the starter again.

    Did the starter crank the engine? 

    1. YES  - The starting system is OK.
    2. NO  - Go to step 5.
  5. Make sure the transmission is in neutral, then disconnect the BLK/WHT wire (A) from the starter solenoid (B). Connect a jumper wire from the battery positive terminal to the solenoid terminal.
    Fig 2: Disconnecting BLK/WHT Wire From Starter Solenoid (M/T)
    G01960966
    Fig 3: Disconnecting BLK/WHT Wire From Starter Solenoid (A/T)
    G01960967

    Did the starter crank the engine? 

    1. YES  - Go to step 6.
    2. NO  - Remove the starter, and diagnose its internal problems.
  6. Check the following items in the order listed until you find the open circuit.
    • Check the BLK/WHT wire and connectors between the starter cut relay and the ignition switch, and between the starter cut relay and the starter.
    • Check the ignition switch (see TEST ).
    • With A/T, check the transmission range switch and connector. With M/T, check the clutch interlock switch and connector.
  7. Check engine speed during cranking.

    Is engine speed above 100 RPM? 

    1. YES  - Go to step 8.
    2. NO  - Remove and disassemble the starter, and check for the following until you find the cause.
      • Excessively worn starter brushes
      • Open circuit in commutator brushes
      • Dirty or damaged helical splines or drive gear
      • Faulty drive gear clutch
  8. Check the cranking voltage and current draw.

    Is cranking voltage no less than 8.5 volts (with A/T) or 8.0 volts (with M/T), and current draw no more than 350 amps (with A/T) or 200 amps (with M/T)? 

    1. YES  - Go to step 9.
    2. NO  - Remove and disassemble the starter, and check for the following until you find the cause.
      • Open circuit in starter armature commutator segments
      • Starter armature dragging
      • Shorted armature winding
      • Excessive drag in engine
  9. Remove the starter and inspect its drive gear and the flywheel or torque converter ring gear for damage. Replace any damaged parts.
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