Bench Testing a Single Post Starter With Bendix (No Solenoid)

Bench testing your starter is a great way to determine if there is a problem with the starter. This is a fairly simple test to do, but first you need to remove the starter from the engine. Before you go through the trouble of removing the starter, make sure that the battery is charged and working properly. If the battery is good, and the engine still won’t start you can use the following ways to determine if the starter is the problem:

1) Nothing happens when you turn the key to start the engine.
2) You turn the key and you hear the starter spinning but the engine still doesn’t start.

What You Will Need

• Battery Jumper Cables
• Jumper Wire
• Working Battery (Take one from a working vehicle if possible. Battery must have 12.5 volts. DO NOT use a jump box)

• Vise to Hold Starter (You can have someone hold the starter if you don’t have a vise)

WARNING: Be sure that while you are testing the starter, that you keep any loose clothing, jewelry, or your fingers away from the pinion gear as it’s spins.

Bench Testing

Step One: Place your starter in the vise or have someone hold it carefully.

Step Two: Attach the negative (BLACK) battery cable to the to the negative terminal of the battery. The other end will need to be attached to the starter case.

Step Three: Attach the positive (RED) battery cable to the positive terminal on the battery. The other end needs to be attached to the stud on the starter. As soon as the positive battery cable touches the stud, the starter should start spinning.

Understanding the Results

You will get one of four results from your bench test.

1) The starter bendix will come out and spin fast. If this happens, then the starter is good.
2) The starter bendix will come out and spin very slowly. If this happens, then there is something wrong with the starter.
3) Nothing happens and you hear a loud click. If this happens, then the starter is bad and needs to be replaced.
4) The starter spins, but the starter bendix doesn’t come out. If this happens, then  the starter is bad and needs to be replaced.