No-Load Test - Starter

No Load Test:

NOTE: Never operate the cranking motor more than 30 seconds at a time without pausing to allow it to cool for at least 2 minutes. Overheating, caused by excessive cranking will seriously damage the cranking motor.

Make connection as shown. Close the switch and compare the RPM, current, and voltage readings with values shown in Starter Usage Chart. If the starter does not meet these values replace the starter. The following conditions indicate possible causes of starter problems:
1. Rated current draw and no-load speed indicates normal condition of the starter motor.
2. Low free speed and high current draw indicates:
^ Too much friction - tight, dirty, or worn bushings, bent armature shaft allowing armature to drag.
^ Shorted armature.
^ Grounded armature or fields.
3. Failure to operate with high current draw indicates:
^ A direct ground in the terminal or fields.
^ "Frozen" bearings.
4. Failure to operate with low or no current draw indicates:
^ Open solenoid windings.
^ Open field circuit.
^ Open armature coils.
^ Broken brush springs, worn brushes, high insulation between the commutator bars or other causes which would prevent good contact between the brushes and commutator.
5. Low no-load speed and low current draw indicates:
^ High internal resistance due to poor connections, defective leads, dirty commutator and causes listed under step Number 4 above.
6. High free speed and high current draw usually indicate shorted fields.