PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA
Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: djspinto on February 02, 2017, 08:33:11 PM
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I just got my new (rebuilt) starter for my 2.3 Pinto, and decided to bench test it before putting it on. I hooked up the positive cable from a 12V car battery to the positive (starter) terminal, and I hooked up the negative (ground) to the frame where it gets bolted to the engine. I got sparks, but the motor did not turn and I couldn't hear any clicks.
Is this the proper way of bench testing a starter, or am I doing something wrong?
Or.... Is it possible that I got a defective rebuilt starter?
The starter is a ACDelco from Rockauto.com. Part #3361012
Thanks
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It is a typical way of testing. I'd add that the motor can torque rather forcefully and the starter needs to be properly held. When you say, "hooked up a cable" by what means were the connections made? Was the cable bolted to the battery and starter both at the + terminal and when grounded to the starter case? I've tested starters using jumper cables and have found that unless the cable clamps and place I'm connecting to are VERY clean I often don't get a connection.
But, frankly from your description of "getting sparks" it leaves me incline to say the current is getting through. I have found there is sometimes a delay (under a second) from the point of current application to the point of the starter solenoid engaging and powering the motor. So, if you are merely tapping the connection for a split second you may not be getting engagement. Otherwise it would seem the starter is shorted so don't hold the connections for longer than a (real) second as the overload can get dangerous. Proceed with caution at your own risk.