Ford Thunderbird Manual page 276

03-06-8
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)
2. Connect a remote starter switch between the
starter solenoid S-terminal and the battery
positive (B+) terminal.
Connect multimeter positive lead to the battery
3.
positive (B+) post. Connect negative lead to the
starter solenoid M-terminal.
4. Engage the remote starter switch. Read and
record the voltage. The voltage reading should be
0.5 volt or less.
H the voltage reading is higher than this,
5.
indicating excessive resistance, move the
volt-ohmmeter negative lead to the starter
solenoid B-terminal and repeat the test. H the
voltage reading at the B-terminal is lower than 0.5
volt, the concern is either in the connections at
the starter solenoid or in the solenoid contacts.
6. Remove the cables from solenoid 8-, S-, and
M-terminals. Clean the cables and connections
and reinstall the cables to the proper terminals.
Repeat Steps 1 through 5 above. H the voltage
drop reading is still higher than 0.5 volt when
checked at the M-terminal or lower when
checked at the 8-terminal, the concern is in the
solenoid contacts. Remove and replace the
starter motor or starter solenoid if available.
7. H the voltage reading taken at the solenoid
8-terminal is still higher than 0.5 volt after
cleaning the cables and connections at the
starter solenoid, the concern is either in the
positive (B+) battery cable connection or in the
positive battery cable itself.
8. By moving the volt-ohmmeter negative lead
toward the battery and checking each
mechanical connection point, the excessive
voltage drop can be located. When the high
reading disappears, the last mechanical point
that was checked is the concern.
Motor Feed Circuit
S-TERMINAL
ROTUNDA 73 DIGITAL
MULTIMETER
105-R0051
Starting System
REMOTE STARTER
SWITCH
BATTERY
10653
AJ0130-A
Motor Ground Circuit
A slow cranking condition can be caused by
resistance in the ground or return portion of the
cranking circuit. Check the voltage drop in the ground
circuit as follows:
Prevent the engine from starting by disconnecting
1 .
the low voltage wires at the coil pack connectors.
2. Connect a remote starter switch between the
starter solenoid S-terminal and the battery
positive (B+) terminal.
3. Connect multimeter positive lead to the starter
motor housing (connection must be clean and free
of rust or grease). Connect negative lead to the
negative (B-) battery terminal.
4. Engage the remote starter switch and crank the
engine. Read and record the volt-ohmmeter
reading. The reading should be 0.2 volt or less.
5. H the voltage drop is more than 0.2 volt, clean the
negative cable connections at the battery and
body connections, and retest. H the voltage drop
is still too high, perform the following test:
Motor Ground Circuit
REMOTE
STARTER
SWITCH
8-TERMINAL
S-TERMINAL
Individual Cable
The resistance of any cable can be checked in the
same manner by using Rotunda 73 Digital Multimeter
1 05-R005 1 or equivalent.
1 . Determine which way the current is flowing in the
cable. Connect multimeter positive lead to the
end of the cable nearest battery positive.
Connect negative lead to the terminal at the other
2.
end of the cable.
3. Crank the engine and observe multimeter. The
voltage reading should be 0.2 volt or lower. H the
voltage drop is too high, clean the terminal ends.
Retest, and if still high, replace the cable.
03-06-8
ROTUNDA 73 DIGITAL
MULTIMETER
1 05-R0051
BATTERY
10653
AJ0131-A
1997 Thunderbird, Cougar July 1996