Starter diagnosis- Jumping the solenoid?

[nomov8sho]

Hey, all-

My '93 mtx is not cranking over- I suspect a bad starter. If I bridge the 2 big terminals on the solenoid with the ignition switch in the "off" position it should crank over but not start, correct?

I tried it, and get nothing but a big spark and humming noise.

The car will not crank over at all- not even a "click", and the headlights don't dim. I have a battery charger and made sure the battery is fully charged. The headlights, dashlights, radio, etc. all work, and I can hear the fuel pump. My only other thought is the clutch-pedal switch, but if I'm correct about the behavior if I bridge the solenoid it should definitely be the starter, right?

-Josh

 

[dodgebusta]

That is what it would point me to.

 

[SuperHO]

If you got a spark and nothing more than a hum, your starter no longer likes you. Try whacking the thing with something heavy and blunt a couple of times to see if it'll turn then...

 

[Jedi]

before you whack it with a hammer (they generally dont like that and if it's not the starter before then, it will be now)...get yourself a multimeter and make sure that you are getting full voltage to the starter. Voltage drop should not be more than .2 volts for the insulated side of the system (positive cable from battery to starter.) Check your connections as well if you find this to be the case.

 

[nomov8sho]

All fixed now. I swapped in another starter I had on an engine / trans I had stashed in the shed. Turned right over. I took the one I removed to Autozone for a bench test, and we found that the solenoid was toast and the starter motor was locked up tight. I'm guessing the solenoid self-destructed trying to turn the locked-up starter.

I may pull it apart to try to figure out what did it in, but I'll probably just drop it at the local mom-and-pop electric shop for a good rebuild and hold onto it for a spare.

Thanks for the replies.

-Josh