Note: Before you begin, please read the warnings in the section again "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, this may be due to the following reasons.
- a) The battery is faulty.
- b) Some electrical connections in the ignition switch, traction relay, and starter circuits are not able to transmit a large current from the battery through the starter to ground.
- c) The traction relay is faulty.
- d) The mechanical or electrical part of the starter is faulty.
2. To check the battery, turn on the headlights. If their brightness decreases after a few seconds, this indicates that the battery is discharged - charge (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 are dimming, this indicates that the current is reaching the starter, so the fault must be in the starter itself. If the headlights continue to burn brightly (and at the same time the sound of the traction relay turning on is not heard), this indicates that the relay circuit or the relay 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 faulty or there is significant resistance in the circuit.
3. If there is a suspicion of a fault in the electrical circuit, disconnect the battery terminals, the wiring from the starter to the traction relay and the ground bus of the power unit (engine-gearbox). Clean the connections thoroughly and reconnect them; arm yourself with a voltmeter or test light and check for full positive voltage at the battery connection to the traction relay and good ground contact. Lubricate the battery terminals with petroleum jelly to prevent corrosion - an oxidized connection is the most common cause of electrical system failure.
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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. Connect a voltmeter or test lamp between the end of the wire and a good ground (negative battery terminal type) and check if there is voltage on the wire when you turn the ignition key to start. If there is, then the electrical circuit is working properly, 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 the positive voltage of the battery is supplied to the starter, and the ground. When you turn the ignition key to start, voltage should appear or the test lamp should light. If voltage does not appear, then the traction relay is faulty and should be replaced.
6. If the target and traction relay are in good condition, then the starter is faulty. In this case, you can send the starter for repair, but inquire about the prices - it may be more profitable to buy a new one.