Grand Prix V6-191 3.1L VIN M SFI (1998)
Starter Motor: Testing and Inspection
Solenoid Test Connections
Inspection and Testing
Inspect the following starter motor components:
1. The drive pinion.
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The pinion should turn freely in the overrunning direction and turn with some degree of resistance in the drive direction.
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Check the pinion teeth to see that they have not been chipped, cracked, or excessively worn. Badly chipped pinion teeth can indicate chipped
ring gear teeth. Replace the flywheel if necessary.
NOTE: Do not clean the starter motor parts in a degreasing tank. Soaking parts will dissolve the permanent lubrication and may damage the
electrical insulation. This will shorten starter motor life.
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The starter drive requires no lubrication, but it should be wiped clean.
2. The solenoid hold-in windings by connecting an ammeter and switch in series with a 12 V battery and the solenoid terminal on the solenoid switch.
2.1. Connect a voltmeter to the solenoid terminal and the ground.
2.2. Disconnect the motor lead from the solenoid and tape the lead to prevent contact.
2.3. Connect the carbon pile across the battery.
2.4. Adjust the voltage to 10 V and note the ammeter reading. The starter motor reading should be 6-12 A.
NOTE: To prevent overheating of the solenoid pull-in winding, do not leave the winding energized for more than 15 seconds. The current draw
will decrease as the winding temperature increases.
3. The solenoid hold-in windings and the pull-in windings by making connections as for the previous test.
3.1. Ground the solenoid motor terminal.
3.2. Adjust the voltage to 10 V and note the ammeter reading. The starter motor reading must be 30-45 A.
^ The current reading will change as the windings heat up.
^ The current draw readings that are over the specifications indicate shorted turns or a ground in the solenoid windings.
^ The current draw readings that are under the specifications indicate excessive resistance.
^ No reading indicates an open.