Diagnosis And Testing - Starting System: Notes
The battery, starting system and charging system in the vehicle operate with one another and must be tested as a complete system. In order for the engine to start and the battery to charge properly, all of the components that are used in these systems must perform within specifications. The service information for these systems has been separated within this service information to make it easier to locate the specific information you are seeking. However, when attempting to diagnose any of these systems, it is important that you keep their interdependency in mind.
The diagnostic procedures used for the battery, starting system and charging system include the most basic conventional diagnostic methods, to the more sophisticated On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) built into the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). Use of an induction-type milliampere ammeter, a volt/ohmmeter, a battery charger, a carbon pile rheostat (load tester) and a 12-volt test lamp may be required. All OBD-sensed systems are monitored by the PCM. Each monitored circuit is assigned a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC). The PCM will store a DTC in electronic memory for any failure it detects. Refer to CHARGING for on-board diagnostic test procedures.
| Starting System Diagnosis | ||
|---|---|---|
| Condition | Possible Cause | Correction |
| Starter fails to operate. |
1. Battery discharged or faulty. |
1. Refer to BATTERY SYSTEM . Replace faulty battery as required. |
| - |
2. Starting circuit wiring faulty. |
2. Refer to SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS . Test and repair faulty starter feed and/or control circuits, as required. |
| - |
3. Starter relay faulty. |
3. Refer to STARTER MOTOR RELAY . Replace faulty starter relay as required. |
| - |
4. Ignition switch faulty. |
4. Refer to IGNITION SWITCH . Replace faulty ignition switch as required. |
| - |
5. Clutch pedal position switch faulty. |
5. Refer to CLUTCH . Replace faulty clutch hydraulic linkage unit as required. |
| - |
6. Park/Neutral position switch faulty or misadjusted. |
6. Refer to TRANSMISSION RANGE SENSOR . Replace faulty park/neutral position switch as required. |
| - |
7. Starter solenoid faulty. |
7. Refer to STARTER MOTOR . Replace faulty starter motor as required. |
| - |
8. Starter motor faulty. |
8. Refer to STARTER MOTOR . Replace faulty starter motor as required. |
| Starter engages, fails to turn engine. |
1. Battery discharged or faulty. |
1. Refer to BATTERY SYSTEM . Replace faulty battery as required. |
| - |
2. Starting circuit wiring faulty. |
2. Refer to SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAMS . Test and repair faulty starter feed and/or control circuits as required. |
| - |
3. Starter motor faulty. |
3. Refer to STARTER MOTOR . Replace faulty starter motor as required. |
| - |
4. Engine seized. |
4. Refer to appropriate ENGINE article for diagnosis. Repair or replace faulty engine as required. |
| Starter engages, spins out before engine starts. |
1. Starter ring gear faulty. |
1. Refer to STARTER MOTOR . Remove starter motor to inspect starter ring gear. Replace faulty starter ring gear as required. |
| - |
2. Starter motor faulty. |
2. Refer to STARTER MOTOR . Replace faulty starter motor as required. |
| Starter does not disengage. |
1. Starter motor improperly installed. |
1. Refer to STARTER MOTOR . Tighten starter motor mounting hardware to correct tightness specifications as required. |
| - |
2. Starter relay faulty. |
2. Refer to STARTER MOTOR RELAY . Replace faulty starter relay as required. |
| - |
3. Ignition switch faulty. |
3. Refer to IGNITION SWITCH . Replace faulty ignition switch as required. |
| - |
4. Starter motor faulty. |
4. Refer to STARTER MOTOR . Replace faulty starter motor as required. |