How To Test The Starter Motor (1997-1999 V8 Dakota, Durango)

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

In this test section, we're gonna' manually apply 12 Volts to the starter motor's S terminal.

Once the S terminal gets battery power, the starter motor should engage and crank the engine. If the starter motor is defective, it will not crank the engine.

The best and safest way to perform this test is with a remote start switch.

IMPORTANT: Before you perform this test remove the key from the ignition switch to prevent the engine from accidentally starting.

IMPORTANT: Place your Dakota or Durango on jack stands if you raise it to access the starter motor!

OK, these are the test steps:

1. 1

   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.

2. 2

   Attach one of the alligator-type terminals of the remote starter switch to the S terminal of the starter motor.

3. 3

   Reconnect the battery negative (-) cable to the battery negative post.
   
   NOTE: Make sure that the battery cables and posts are clean.

4. 4

   Connect the remaining alligator-type terminal of the remote starter switch to the battery positive post.
   
   IMPORTANT: If your Dakota (Durango) has a standard transmission, make sure it's out of gear before you make this last connection.

5. 5

   Activate the starter motor with your remote starter switch. As you apply these 12 Volts (to the S terminal of the starter motor), you'll get one of two results:
   
   1) The starter will activate and will turn over the engine -OR- 2) The starter motor won't do a thing.

Let's examine your test result:

CASE 1: The starter motor cranked the engine. This test result lets you know that your Dakota (Durango)'s starter motor is OK and functioning.

If the starter motor is NOT cranking the engine when you turn the key to start it, then it's probably not receiving the activation signal from the ignition switch.

To further test this, go to the next test: TEST 2: Verifying The Start Signal.

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

I suggest 2 more tests and these are make sure that the starter motor is getting its 12 Volt signal signal and to test the battery cable (that attaches to the starter motor solenoid) for corrosion. This can be accomplished very easily with a voltage drop test.

• Go to: TEST 2: Verifying The Start Signal.
• Go to: TEST 3: Voltage Drop Testing The Battery Cable.

If the above two tests confirm that the start signal IS present and there's no voltage drop on the battery cable (feeding battery power to the starter motor), then you can confidently conclude your Dakota or Durango's starter motor is bad and needs to be replaced.

TEST 2: Verifying The Start Signal

If in TEST 1 the starter motor did crank up the engine (when you manually applied power to it), then the next step is to see if the Start signal is present when you turn the key to start the engine.

You can use a 12 Volt test light for this test or multimeter (the test instructions below call for a multimeter).

OK, let's get started:

1. 1

   Connect the red multimeter test lead to the S terminal of the starter motor.

2. 2

   Attach the black multimeter test lead to a clean and rust-free spot on the engine or on the vehicle frame.
   
   I recommend that you use a battery jump start cable to Ground the black multimeter test lead directly to the battery negative (-) terminal.

3. 3

   Have your helper crank the engine from inside your Dodge Dakota (Durango).
   
   The engine won't turn over, but the idea is to verify that the starter motor's internal solenoid is getting the 12 Volt start signal from the ignition switch (or not).

4. 4

   Your multimeter is going to register one of two results: Either 9 - 12 Volts DC or no voltage at all.

Let's examine your test result:

CASE 1: The multimeter registered 10 to 12 Volts. This test result lets you know the starter's internal solenoid is receiving the start signal.

This means that we can forget about the safety neutral switch and the ignition switch being bad. OK, now the next test is to do a very easy and simple voltage drop test. Go to: TEST 3: Voltage Drop Testing The Battery (+) Cable.

CASE 2: Your multimeter DID NOT register 10 to 12 Volts. This result exonerates the starter motor. Your starter motor is not bad.

Here's the reason why: Without this 10 to 12 Volt crank signal, your Dakota (Durango)'s starter motor will not crank the engine. Now, although it's beyond the scope of this article to test the neutral safety switch or the ignition switch, you have eliminated the starter motor and this means saving money by not buying a part your vehicle does not need.