TEST 2: Verifying The 12 Volt Start Signal
There's a good chance the starter motor is not receiving an activation signal if:
- The starter motor activates only when you apply 12 Volts to its 'S' terminal.
- The starter motor DOES NOT activate when you turn the ignition key to crank and start the engine.
In this test section, you'll check the wire that connects to the 'S' terminal (on the starter motor solenoid) and see if it delivers an activation signal.
NOTE: You can perform this test with the 'S' wire connected or disconnected to the 'S' terminal.
These are the test steps:
- 1
Raise and place the front of the vehicle on jack stands (if it isn't already).
- 2
Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.
- 3
Ground the black multimeter test lead directly on the negative (-) battery terminal using a jump start cable.
You can also Ground it on the engine, if you can find a clean, unpainted and rust-free spot of metal. - 4
Connect the red multimeter test lead to the 'S' terminal wire using an appropriate tool.
Don't know which wire is the 'S' terminal wire? This is the one that connects to the smaller of the three studs on the starter motor solenoid.
The 'S' terminal wire (circuit) is the one that delivers the Start (Crank) signal from the ignition switch. - 5
Have your helper turn the key to crank the engine when the test is setup.
- 6
Your multimeter should read 10 to 12 Volts DC.
OK, let's interpret your test results:
CASE 1: Your multimeter registered 10 to 12 Volts. This is the correct and expected test result and it confirms that the starter motor is receiving its activation signal.
Now, in most cases, you could stop here and replace the starter motor and be done. But, I suggest one more test so that you can be absolutely sure there isn't another issue to deal with.
Your next test is to voltage drop test the battery positive (+) cable. This is a very easy and simple test to do. Go to: TEST 3: Voltage Drop Testing The Battery (+) Cable.
CASE 2: Your multimeter DID NOT register 10 to 12 Volts. This test result lets you know that the starter motor isn't receiving an activation signal.
Although finding out why this activation signal is missing is beyond the scope of this tutorial, the most likely causes are:
- A bad starter motor relay.
- A bad park-neutral safety switch.
- A bad clutch pedal switch.
- A bad ignition switch.
- An anti-theft system fault.
TEST 3: Voltage Drop Testing The Battery (+) Cable
So far, your test results have confirmed:
- The starter motor does not activate when applying 12 Volts to its 'S' terminal (TEST 1).
- The starter motor solenoid's 'S' terminal is receiving an activation signal (TEST 2).
In this last test section, we're going to make sure that the wire that connects the starter motor to the battery doesn't have corrosion or a false contact issue.
Why? Because the starter motor will receive a lower amperage due to these two problems. This lower amperage could cause the starter motor not to crank the engine.
We'll check for these two issues by doing a multimeter of voltage drop test on the starter motor's battery wire.
The voltage drop test is a super simple test that will let you know if the starter motor is receiving all of the battery's amperage output.
Let's start:
- 1
Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.
- 2
Attach the red multimeter test lead to the positive (+) battery post. The positive (+) battery post must be clean and corrosion-free.
You may need two helpers for this test step, since someone will have to hold the red multimeter test lead onto the battery positive (+) terminal bolt and someone else inside the vehicle (to crank it when everything is set up). - 3
Place the black multimeter test lead on the starter motor solenoid stud that connects to the battery positive (+) cable (see illustration above).
The orange arrow with the plus (+) sign, in the illustration above, points to this stud.
Maintain the black multimeter test lead in this position throughout the next step. - 4
When everything is ready, have your helper turn the key to crank the engine.
Although the starter motor won't crank the engine, your helper has to turn the ignition switch to start the engine for the voltage drop test to work. - 5
The multimeter should register 0.5 Volts or less (0.5 V = 0 Volts).
If there's a problem in the wire, your multimeter will register some voltage, usually 5 Volts or more.
Let's take a look at what your results mean:
CASE 1: Your multimeter indicated NO voltage drop (which is 0.5 Volts or less). This is the correct test result and it confirms the starter motor is receiving all of the battery voltage and amperage it needs to crank the engine.
You can conclude that the starter motor is bad and needs replacement if you have:
- Confirmed that the starter motor only cranks the engine by applying 12 volts directly to the 'S' terminal of the solenoid (TEST 1).
- Confirmed that the starter motor is receiving an activation signal (TEST 2).
- Confirmed, in this test section, that the battery positive (+) cable does not have a voltage drop issue.
Now, before you remove the starter motor, do one more important thing:
- Turn the engine manually (using a 1/2 ratchet and the appropriate socket on the crankshaft pulley bolt). This will check to see if the engine is mechanically locked up (or not).
If you'd like to bench test the starter motor (after removing it). You can find the step-by-step instructions here:
CASE 2: Your multimeter registered 5 Volts or more. This result confirms that the starter motor is not receiving the battery's total amperage output.
This voltage drop is almost always caused by corrosion or a false-contact issue with the battery wire.
To solve this problem, you'll need to thoroughly clean both ends of the battery positive (+) cable.
Cleaning the end that attaches to the starter motor solenoid should be done with a small piece of sandpaper. Once both ends of the battery positive cable are clean, reconnect everything and try cranking the engine.
If the voltage drop was the cause of the no-crank condition, the starter motor will now crank the engine.
More 3.4L V6 Chevrolet, Pontiac Tutorials
You can find a complete list of 3.4L V6 Chevrolet (Pontiac) tutorials in this index:
Here's a small sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:
- How To Test Engine Compression Test (3.4L V6 Chevrolet, Pontiac).
- How To Test A Blown Head Gasket (3.4L V6 Chevrolet, Pontiac).
- What Does The CKP Sensor Do? (3.4L V6 Chevrolet, Pontiac).
- How To Test The Throttle Position Sensor (3.4L V6 Chevrolet, Pontiac).
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
