How To Test The Starter -Step by Step (Honda 2.2L, 2.3L)

If you're needing a step-by-step Honda starter motor testing article then you've found it! This tutorial will help you diagnose the starter motor on your Honda as good or as bad in two simple and easy test steps.

Not only that, this is an on-car test that's done with a simple multimeter, you won't be needing any expensive test equipment.

NOTE: Before you start, let me tell you that the photos used in this article show the starter motor off of the vehicle just to facilitate the explanations of the starter motor test. For your testing purposes, do not remove starter motor.

You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Cómo Probar El Motor De Arranque (Honda 2.2L, 2.3L) (at: autotecnico-online.com).

Symptoms Of A Bad Starter Motor

The most common symptom of a bad starter are:

• You turn the key to crank up and start you Honda Accord (or Odyssey or Prelude) and nothing happens.
• You got someone to help your Jump Start you Honda, and this did not get the car or mini-van to crank.
• You've bought a brand new battery (thinking that was the solution to the 'no-crank' condition) and this did not get the car to crank and start.
• Turn the key to start your Honda and all you hear is a small knock and nothing else.

Although the above list is a not a very complete list of symptoms, the theme that runs thru' them, and any other related symptom, is that the engine will not turn over when the key is turned to crank the vehicle.

Important Safety Precautions

SUGGESTION 1: It's critical that you make sure your battery is fully charged before you start any of the tests in this tutorial. Also, the battery cable terminals and battery posts must be clean and corrosion free.

SUGGESTION 2: Use jack stands to keep your Honda vehicle up in the air, don't trust the jack alone! Take all necessary safety precautions, like using jack stands to hold up the vehicle, wearing eye-protection (safety glasses), etc.

SUGGESTION 3: Remove the key from the ignition switch. This will prevent the engine from starting, in case the starter motor is OK.

SUGGESTION 4: If your vehicle has a standard transmission, make sure that it's out of gear and in neutral, and the parking brake is activated/on.

STARTER TEST 1: Applying 12 Volts To The Starter Motor S Terminal

To get this show on the road, the first thing you need to do is to use a remote starter switch to apply 12 Volts to the S terminal of the starter motor solenoid. If the starter motor is good, it'll activate and crank the engine.

If the starter motor doesn't activate and crank the engine (after applying 12 Volts to the S terminal), then you've got a bad starter motor on your hands.

By the way, if you don't have remote starter switch and you're wondering what this tool looks like, you can follow this link and take a look at it: Actron CP7853 Remote Starter Switch For 6V And 12V Automotive Starting Systems (you can buy this bad boy online or at your local autoparts store- AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, etc.).

OK, this is what you'll need to do:

1. 1

   If applicable: jack up your Honda vehicle and place on jack stands. You'll need to raise the vehicle to gain access to the starter motor. Most, if not all, of the vehicles covered in this tutorial don't have to be raised to gain access to the starter motor solenoid.

2. 2

   Disconnect the battery negative (-) terminal.
   
   You'll reconnect it back in one of the following steps, for now, it's a safety precaution as you set up the test.

1. 3

   Attach a remote starter switch to the S terminal of the starter motor solenoid.
   
   This is easier said than done, so take your time and make sure the connection is on the S terminal of the starter motor solenoid.

2. 4

   Reconnect the battery negative (-) cable to the battery negative post.
   
   Now, apply 12 Volts to the S terminal of the starter motor' solenoid with your remote start switch. As you apply these 12 Volts (to the S terminal of the starter motor solenoid), you'll get one of two results:

   1. The starter will activate and will turn over the engine
   2. -OR-
   3. The starter motor won't do a thing.

Let's take a look at what your test results mean:

CASE 1: The starter motor cranked the engine. This means that the starter motor is good and that you have an electrical issue keeping the starter motor from cranking the engine.

The next step is to go to TEST 2 and see if the starter motor solenoid is getting the Start signal on the S terminal wire (circuit). Go to: STARTER TEST 2: Verifying The Start Signal.

CASE 2: The starter motor DID NOT crank the engine. This usually means that your starter motor is bad and needs to be rebuilt or replaced.

I suggest one more test and this is to test the battery cable (that attaches to the starter motor) for corrosion. This can be accomplished very easily with a voltage drop test. Go to: STARTER TEST 3: Voltage Drop Testing The Battery Cable.