Note: Please read the warnings in section "Safety first!" and in paragraph 1 of this chapter.
1. If the starter does not work when the ignition key is turned to the appropriate position, there may be the following reasons.
- A) Battery defective.
- b) Some electrical connections in the ignition switch, traction turnip, and starter circuits are not able to transfer large current from the battery through the starter to ground.
- V) Faulty traction relay.
- G) Faulty mechanical or electrical part of the starter.
2. To check the battery, turn on the headlights. If their brightness decreases after a few seconds, this indicates that the battery is low - recharge (see paragraph 3) or replace the battery. If the headlights are bright, turn the ignition key to start and watch the lights. If the headlights decrease, this indicates that current is supplied to the starter, therefore the fault must be in the starter itself. If the headlights keep burning bright (and at the same time, the sound of the traction relay turning on is not heard), this indicates that the electrical circuit of the relay or itself is faulty - see the following points. If the starter turns slowly, but the battery is in good condition, this indicates that either the starter is defective or there is significant resistance in the circuit.
3. If there is a suspicion of a malfunction in the electrical circuit, disconnect the battery terminals, the wiring from the starter to the traction relay and the bus, grounding the power unit (engine-gearbox). Thoroughly clean the connections and reconnect them; arm yourself with a voltmeter or test lamp and check for full positive voltage at the battery connection to the traction relays and good ground contact. Lubricate the battery terminals with petroleum jelly to prevent corrosion - an oxidized compound is the most common cause of electrical system failures.
4. If the battery and all connections are in good condition, check the circuit by disconnecting the wire from the contact lever of the traction relay. Turn on a voltmeter or test light between the end of the wire and a good ground (battery negative terminal type) and check if there is voltage on the wire when the ignition key is turned to start. If there is, then the electrical circuit is working, if not, see the circuit check described in chapter 12.
5. The contacts of the traction relay can be checked by connecting a voltmeter or a test lamp between the relay terminal, through which positive battery voltage is supplied to the starter, and ground. When the ignition key is turned to start, voltage should appear or the control lamp should light up. If the voltage does not appear, then the traction relay is faulty and it must be replaced.
6. If the target and the traction relay are working, then the starter is faulty. In this case, you can give the starter for repair, but at the same time ask about prices - it may be more profitable to purchase a new one.