Monterey V6-4.2L VIN 2 (2004)
Starter Motor: Testing and Inspection
COMPONENT TESTS
WARNING: When repairing the starter motor or carrying out other underhood work in the vicinity of the starter motor, be aware that the
heavy gauge battery input lead at the starter solenoid is "electrically hot" at all times. Failure to follow these instructions can result in personal
injury.
CAUTION: A protective cap or boot is provided over the battery input terminal on all vehicle lines and must be installed after repairing. Be
sure to disconnect the battery ground cable before repairing the starter motor.
Connect the 73III Automotive Meter 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 - Motor Feed Circuit
1. Make sure the battery is fully charged. Carry out a battery load test.
2. Disconnect the inertia fuel shutoff (IFS) switch.
3. Connect a remote starter switch between the starter solenoid S-terminal and the battery positive (+) terminal.
4. Connect the 73III Automotive Meter positive lead to the battery positive (+) post. Connect the negative lead to the M-terminal.
5. Engage the remote starter switch. Read and record the voltage. The voltage reading should be 0.8 volt or less.
6. If the voltage reading is 0.8 volt or less, go to the Starter Motor - Ground Circuit Component Test.
7. If the voltage reading is greater than 0.8 volt, this is an indication of excessive resistance in the connections, the positive battery cable or in the
starter solenoid. Move the 73III Automotive Meter negative lead to the starter solenoid B-terminal and repeat the test. If the voltage reading at the
B-terminal is lower than 0.8 volt, the concern is either in the connections at the starter solenoid or in the solenoid contacts.
8. Remove the cables from solenoid B-, S- and M-terminals. Clean the cables and connections and reinstall the cables to the correct terminals. Repeat
Steps 3 through 6. If the voltage drop reading is still greater than 0.8 volt when checked at the M-terminal and less than 0.8 volt when checked at
the B-terminal, the concern is in the solenoid contacts. Install a new starter motor.
9. If the voltage reading taken at the solenoid B-terminal is still greater than 0.8 volt after cleaning the cables and the connections at the solenoid, the
concern is either in the positive (+) battery cable connection or in the positive battery cable itself. Clean the positive (+) battery cable connection.
If this does not solve the problem, install a new positive battery cable.
Starter Motor - Ground Circuit
A slow cranking condition can be caused by resistance in the ground or return portion of the cranking circuit. Check the voltage drop in the ground
circuit as follows:
1. Connect the 73III Automotive Meter positive lead to the starter motor housing (the connection must be clean and free of rust or grease). Connect
the negative lead to the negative (-) battery terminal.
2. Engage the remote starter switch and crank the engine. Read and record the voltage reading. The reading should be 0.5 volt or less.
3. If the voltage is more than 0.5 volt, clean the negative cable connections at the battery, the body ground connections, and the starter ground
