how exactly do you test the starter off the battery?

Question

1990 ford f150...
pulled the starter and i want to use the battery to test the starter.. how do i do that safely?

Answer 1

take some jumper cables, hook them to the battery, then hook up the ground side to the starter first, make sure you have ur foot on the starter firmly, then apply the hot side. but if you starter has the solenoid on it, your gonna have to jump the power to the ignition post on the solenoid. but the safest way is to just take it to a local parts dealer, they should have the equip there to test it.

Answer 2

last guys is right. or you can use a battery charger if it is big enough and puts out enough current. Clamp the negative cable (from battery or charger) to the starer housing. connect the positive cable to the battery cable stud on the starter. Now you will have to jump power from the positive cable to the solenoid terminal in order to engage the solenoid. Some fords use a remote starter solenoid so this may be a little tricky by yourself.

Answer 3

take it to autozone- they do it for free- plus if you need a new one you are already there. There are ways to safely do it. Make sure you have some sort of circuit between the battery and starter though. I'd do the first I said though b/c by the time you get it wired you could have been there and back knowing the problem.

Answer 4

Jump it. Neg cable to the case, pos to the copper screw. Put a foot on it 'cause it's gonna jump. Or you could have left it in; touch a paper clip from the pos. on the solonoid to the "S" trerminal. But you have to move the wire back a !/16 to get at it.

Answer 5

use jumper cables but the majority of starters test good even when its bad