Component Tests: Notes
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Ford Flex. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
WARNING:
Before beginning any service procedure in this information, refer to Safety Warnings in the appropriate Service Information. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
WARNING:
Always disconnect the battery ground cable at the battery before disconnecting the starter motor battery terminal lead. If a tool is shorted at the starter motor battery terminal, the tool can quickly heat enough to cause a skin burn. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.
Always make the Fluke 77-IV multimeter connections at the component terminal rather than at the wiring end connector. Making a connection at the wiring end connector could result in false readings because the meter will not pick up a high resistance between the wiring connector and the component.
Starter Motor -- Feed Circuit Test
- Make sure the battery is fully charged. Refer to Battery Charging .
- Perform a battery drain test. Refer to Battery Drain Test .
- Connect a remote starter switch between starter solenoid "S" terminal and the battery positive terminal.
- Connect the multimeter positive lead to the battery positive post. Connect the negative lead to the starter solenoid "M" terminal.
- Place the gear selector lever in Park or Neutral.
- Engage the remote starter switch. Read and record the voltage. The voltage reading should be 0.5 volt or less.
- If the voltage reading is 0.5 volt or less, go to the Starter Motor - Ground Circuit Test .
- A voltage reading greater than 0.5 volt is an indication of excessive resistance in the starter connections, the positive battery cable or in the starter solenoid. Remove the cables from solenoid "B", "S", and "M" terminals. Clean the cable connections and reinstall the cables to the correct terminals. Repeat Steps 3 through 6.
- If the voltage reading is still greater than 0.5 volt when checked at the "M" terminal, move the multimeter negative lead to the starter solenoid "B" terminal.
- With the gear selector lever in Park or Neutral, engage the remote starter switch. Read and record the voltage.
- If the voltage reading at the "B" terminal is lower than 0.5 volt, the concern is in the connections at the starter solenoid or in the solenoid contacts. Install a new starter motor. Refer to Starter Motor -- 3.5L GTDI or Starter Motor -- 3.5L Ti-VCT .
- If the voltage reading taken at the solenoid "B" terminal is still greater than 0.5 volt after cleaning the cables and connections at the solenoid, the concern is either in the positive battery cable connections or in the positive battery cable itself.
- Clean the positive battery cable connections and retest. If this does not solve the problem, install a new positive battery cable. Refer to Battery Cables .