Free Running Test
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Mitsubishi Eclipse. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Place the starter motor in a vise equipped with soft jaws and connect a fully-charged 12-volt battery to starter motor.
- Connect a test ammeter (100-ampere scale) and carbon pile rheostat in series between the positive battery terminal and starter motor terminal. See Fig 1 or Fig 2 .
- Connect a voltmeter (15-volt scale) across the starter motor.
- Rotate carbon pile to full resistance position.
- Connect the battery cable from the negative battery terminal to the starter motor body.
- Adjust the rheostat until the battery positive voltage shown by the voltmeter is 11V.
- Confirm that the maximum amperage is 90 amps, and that the starter motor turns smoothly and freely.