Tracker 4WD V6-2.5L VIN 4 (2001)
1. Remove the starter motor from the vehicle.
2. Connect test leads from the battery and the ammeter (3) to the starter motor. The pinion should extend quickly and completely and the starter
motor should run smoothly.
3. Measure the starter motor current draw. The starter motor current draw at 11 volts is 90 amperes. Refer to Starter Motor Usage.
Evaluation
Rated current draw and no-load speed indicate the normal condition of the starter motor.
Low free speed and high current draw indicate the following conditions:
^
Too much friction caused by tight, worn or dirty bushings, or by a bent armature that allows the armature to drag.
^
Shorted armature. Inspect for a shorted armature on a growler after disassembly.
^
Grounded armature or fields. Inspect further after disassembly.
Failure to operate and high current draw indicates the following conditions:
^
A direct ground in the terminal or fields.
^
Seized bearings.
Failure to operate and low or no current draw indicates the following conditions:
^
Open solenoid windings.
^
Open field circuit. Inspect the field circuit after disassembly by inspecting internal connections.
^
Open armature coils. Inspect the commutator for badly burned bars after disassembly.
^
Broken brush springs.
^
Worn brushes.
^
High insulation between the commutator bars.
^
Other conditions that may prevent good contact between the brushes and the commutator.
Low no-load speed and low current draw indicates the following conditions:
^
High internal resistance due to poor connections.
^
Faulty leads.
^
Dirty commutator. Open solenoid windings.
^
Open field circuit. Inspect the condition of the internal components after disassembly in order to find an open field circuit.
^
Open armature coils. Inspect the commutator for badly burned bars after disassembly.
^
Broken brush springs.
^
Worn brushes.
^
High insulation between the commutator bars or other conditions which may prevent contact between the brushes and the commutator.
High free speed and high current draw indicate shorted fields. If the fields are shorted, replace the field coil assembly. Use a growler in order to inspect
for a shorted armature.
If any of the above conditions are unsatisfactory, refer to Starter Motor Overhaul.
Starter Motor Pull-In, Hold-In and Pinion Return Testing
NOTE: Do not allow the solenoid pull-in current to flow for more than 15 seconds at a time. The windings can be damaged by overheating. Also, the
current draw readings will decrease as the windings heat up.