Acura 3.5 RL Manual page 105

Starting System
Starter Test (cont'd)
Check for Wear and Damage
The starter should crank the engine smoothly and steadily.
If the starter engages, but cranks the engine erratically,
remove it, and inspect the starter drive gear and drive
plate ring gear for damage.
Check the drive gear overrunning clutch for binding or
slipping when the armature is rotated with the drive gear
held. If the clutch is damaged, replace the clutch assem-
bly.
Check Cranking Voltage and Current Draw
Cranking voltage should be no less than 8.0 volts.
Current draw should be no more than 400 amperes.
If cranking voltage is too low, or current draw too high,
check for:
Dead or low battery
Open circuit in starter armature commutator segments
Starter armature dragging
Shorted armature winding
Excessive drag in engine
Check Cranking rpm
Engine speed during cranking should be above 100 rpm.
If speed is too low, check for:
Loose battery or starter terminals
Excessively worn starter brushes
Open circuit in commutator segments
Dirty or damaged helical spline or drive gear
Defective drive gear overrunning clutch
Check Starter Disengagement
With the shift lever in
"START (III)", and release to "ON (II)". The starter drive
gear should disengage from the drive plate ring gear
when you release the key.
If the drive gear hangs up on the drive plate ring gear,
check for:
• Solenoid plunger and switch malfunction
• Dirty drive gear assembly or damaged overrunning
clutch
turn the ignition switch to