FixVault

Free Running Test

  1. Place the starter motor in a vise equipped with soft jaws and connect a fully-charged 12-volt battery to the starter motor as follows:
  2. Connect a test ammeter (100-ampere scale) and carbon pile rheostat in series between the positive battery terminal and starter motor terminal.
  3. Connect a voltmeter (15-volt scale) across the starter motor. See Fig 1 and Fig 2.
  4. Rotate carbon pile to full-resistance position.
  5. Connect the battery cable from the negative battery terminal to the starter motor body.
  6. Adjust the rheostat until the battery positive voltage shown by the voltmeter is 11 V.
  7. Confirm that the maximum amperage is within the specifications and that the starter motor turns smoothly and freely.

    Current: maximum 90 Amps 

    Fig 1: 2.4L Engine Voltmeter
    G00312591Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.
    Fig 2: 3.0L Engine Voltmeter
    G00312595Courtesy of CHRYSLER CORP.