Ford Thunderbird Manual page 274

03-06-6
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)
CHECK STARTER MOUNTING
C1
•
Check starter mounting to be flush (not cocked).
Check that all connections are secure. REFER to
Removal and Installation for mounting information.
•
Check other necessary components related to the
starting system to be securely mounted (ignition
switch, regulator I distributer, battery and
transmission switches).
•
Check wiring connection for damage or shorting due
to corrosion or stray wires.
•
Are the starting system components and wiring
secure and undamaged?
C2 CRANK ENGINE
•
Put ignition switch in START then RUN. As engine is
starting, listen to individual components for noise
due to gear tooth damage, shorting, sparking or
knocking.
•
Is noise due to ring gear tooth damage?
Component Tests
Starter
Conduct this test if the starter motor cranks slowly
and also to compare starter motor electrical current to
specifications. Use Rotunda Alternator, Regulator,
Battery and Starter Tester (ARBSD 0 1 Q-00725 or
equivalent when performing starter tests.
Disconnect the low voltage wires at the coil pack
1 .
connector. This prevents the coil from activating
the secondary ignition and the engine from
starting.
2. Disconnect inertia fuel switch power to the fuel
pump to disable fuel flow on vehicles equipped
with electronic fuel injection (EFI).
3. NOTE: Make sure battery terminals and cable
connections are clean.
Clamp the black load lead of the Rotunda
Alternator, Regulator, Battery and Starter Tester
(ARBSD 0 1 Q-00 7 25 or equivalent to the battery
negative terminal.
Starting System
PINPOINT TEST
Test Step
C:
UNUSUAL STARTER NOISE
Result
Yes
No
Yes
No
4. Clamp the red load lead of the ARBST to the
battery positive terminal. Make sure both load
leads are connected securely.
5. Zero the ammeter of the ARBST by removing the
gray amp probe from all wires and pressing the
ZERO AMPS key.
6. NOTE: Make sure the gray amp probe is around
all wires connected to the negative battery
terminal during this test.
Clamp the gray amp probe of the ARBST around
the battery ground cable so that the arrow on the
probe points toward the battery.
....
Action to Take
....
GO to C2.
....
SERVICE or REPLACE wiring or
component mountings as required.
RETEST starting system for
noises.
....
REPLACE starter solenoid and
INSPECT starter drive or ring gear
for damage. REPLACE as
necessary.
....
If noise sounds like shorting or
sparking, CHECK for grounded
feeds to battery or starter motor.
REFER to Section 14-00. If noise
sounds like knocking, REFER to
Section 03-00.
1997 Thunderbird, Cougar July 1996
03-06-6