How To Test The Starter Motor (1989-1994 3.1L V6 Chevrolet And Pontiac Vehicles)

How To Test The Starter Motor (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 3.1L V6 Chevrolet Beretta, Cavalier, Celebrity, Corsica, Lumina, And Pontiac 6000, Grand Prix)

Sooner or later, the starter motor will fail, and when it does, you'll turn the key to crank and start the engine, but nothing happens.

If this is the case in your case, this tutorial will help you troubleshoot the starter motor.

All test steps are explained step by step. Your test results will help you quickly determine whether the starter is good or bad.

NOTE: The starter motor test in this tutorial is an on-car test. The photos I'm using show the starter motor off of the vehicle only to explain the test connections better.

In Spanish You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Cómo Probar El Motor De Arranque (1989-1994 3.1L V6 Chevrolet y Pontiac) (at: autotecnico-online.com).

APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:

  • 3.1L Chevrolet Beretta: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993.
  • 3.1L Chevrolet Cavalier: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994.
  • 3.1L Chevrolet Celebrity: 1990.
  • 3.1L Chevrolet Corsica: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993.
  • 3.1L Chevrolet Lumina: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994.
  • 3.1L Pontiac 6000: 1989, 1990, 1991.
  • 3.1L Pontiac Grand Prix: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993.
  • 3.1L Pontiac Sunbird: 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994.

Important Testing Tips

TIP 1: The battery must have a full charge before starting any of the tests in this tutorial.

TIP 2: The battery cable terminals and the battery posts should be clean and corrosion-free before starting the tests.

TIP 3: Read the entire article first to familiarize yourself with the tests.

TIP 4: Use jack stands for safety. Don't trust the jack alone to keep your vehicle up in the air while you're underneath it!

TIP 5: Take all necessary safety precautions. Use safety glasses while working underneath the vehicle. Be alert and think safety all of the time.

Symptoms Of A Bad Starter Motor

As mentioned at the beginning of the tutorial, the starter's job is to crank the engine. Once the engine cranks, it should start (if it gets air, fuel, and spark).

When the starter motor fails, it generally stops working and will not crank the engine (until it's replaced).

In some cases, the starter motor fails intermittently. In other words, it'll work most of the time until it won't. Unfortunately, this cycle of intermittent no-crank failures repeats itself many times.

These intermittent problems are the most difficult to diagnose since you need to test the starter motor when it's not cranking the engine.

Tools Needed To Test The Starter Motor

Although testing the starter motor isn't complicated, and you don't require expensive diagnostic equipment, you do need a few essential tools.

Here's a list of things you'll need:

TEST 1: Applying 12 Volts To The 'S' terminal

Applying 12 Volts To The 'S' terminal. How To Test The Starter Motor (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 3.1L V6 Chevrolet Beretta, Cavalier, Celebrity, Corsica, Lumina, And Pontiac 6000, Grand Prix)

As you probably already know, the starter motor receives an activation signal when you turn the key to crank and start the engine.

This activation signal is in the form of 12 Volts supplied to the S terminal on the starter motor solenoid.

For your first test, you'll apply 12 Volts from your vehicle's battery directly to the S terminal.

The best and safest way to do this is with a remote starter switch. If you don't have one and need to buy one, you can buy it here: Actron CP7853 Remote Starter Switch For 6V And 12V Automotive Starting Systems.

If the starter motor activates (when applying 12 Volts to its 'S' terminal), you can conclude that it's functioning correctly.

IMPORTANT: Remove the key from the ignition switch for this test.

OK, these are the test steps:

  1. 1

    Raise the front of your vehicle and place on it jack stands (to gain access to the starter motor).

  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.

  3. 3

    Attach one end of the remote starter switch to the battery positive (+) post.

  4. 4

    Attach the other end of the 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.

    Also, in case you're wondering, you can leave the starter motor solenoid's 'S' terminal wire connected to the engine's wiring harness connector or not, the test will work either way.

  5. 5

    Reconnect the battery negative (-) cable to the battery negative post.

  6. 6

    Apply 12 Volts to the 'S' terminal wire of the starter motor starter solenoid with your remote starter switch.

  7. 7

    You'll get one of two results:

    1.) The starter will activate and will turn over the engine.

    2.) 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 is the correct and expected test result.

You can conclude that the starter motor itself is OK. The next step is to see if the starter motor gets the 12 Volt activation signal on the S terminal wire. Go to: TEST 2: Verifying The 12 Volt 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 voltage drop testing the battery cable (that attaches to the starter motor solenoid) to make sure the starter motor is receiving full battery power.

Chevrolet Vehicles:

  • Beretta 3.1L
    • 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
  • Cavalier 3.1L
    • 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
  • Celebrity 3.1L
    • 1990
  • Corsica 3.1L
    • 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993
  • Lumina 3.1L
    • 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994

Pontiac Vehicles:

  • 6000 3.1L
    • 1989, 1990, 1991
  • Grand Prix 3.1L
    • 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993
  • Sunbird 3.1L
    • 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994