Starter problem on 1995 3.0: Any way to test the Solenoid?

DoctorHugocat · Aug 2, 2013

Hey all -

Yesterday my '95 3.0 Vulcan refused to crank. No click, nothing. I checked the usual stuff: battery, connections etc, and then gave the starter and the solenoid a tap with a hammer. It then started fine!

Well, the starter that's in it came from the junkyard two years ago, so no surprise, I guess.

My question is this though: is there any easy way to test the solenoid without removing the assembly from the car? I have to do any work in a friend's driveway so I only want to remove it once!

Any help appreciated!!
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Sable476 · Aug 2, 2013

If smacking the solenoid made it start then it's just sticking. You will probably have to pull the starter to test it but you can test any solenoid by feeding it power.

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aquinoj · Aug 2, 2013

If it started fine after hitting it with a hammer then the problem is most likely the commutator not the solenoid.

behlinla · Aug 2, 2013

There isn't really a specific test other than seeing if the starter works or not. You can run a wire from bat + to the solenoid post if you want to bypass the ignition system. Make sure the battery and connections are in good shape otherwise you might get false results.

DoctorHugocat · Aug 3, 2013

Thanks guys - much appreciated. The connections were all cleaned and made good when I replaced the starter about 2 years ago: they seem all good, so I'm just going to buy a recon starter with solenoid. Well at least I got 2 years out of the junkyard motor!!

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cjjames23 · Aug 4, 2013

Disregard lol, missed the no click.

Starter problem on 1995 3.0: Any way to test the Solenoid?

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