testing a starter motor,anyone know how?

[zx7rtas]

Would anyone know how to test if a starter motor is shagged or not?Started having dramas today when trying to start,it just got worse,to the point where it wouldnt turn over at all.No alt light,battery is fully charged,just a loose intermittent rattling whurring noise coming from the starter motor.I pulled the starter motor out,quite an easy job,but anyway,I gave it a few turns with my fingers,and it felt quite smooth,so is there anyway I can test to see if its stoofed?

[95 vs stato]

Hold the starter in a vice, Place one end of a length of timber on the bench, so that when u lift up on the other end it pushes against the starter pinion. Get another person to connect the starter to a battery via jumper leads. This will load the bearings and motor. Showing any dead spots or armature rubbing on windings. Do not let the starter run with no load or too long as damage to the windings can occur. Someone else may be able to tell how to test the solenoid.

[VNCommyBeast]

Judging by what you've described it sounds like the brushes
Knowing how many k's you've done can confirm it.

[moff_man]

put the starter in a vice as stated, earth the jumper leads ie black to the vice and other end to the negative post and put the positive on the bolt were the big wire would go on the car, other end to battery. than get another piece of wire or screwdriver and jump the positive to the small male connector where it was on the car. this will run the solenoid and should run the starter as if it was on the car. failing all this a auto elect can test it for you and should only cost 30 - 40 dollars depending how they charge.

[JAAV]

Ok if this is a V6 and it was easy job it must be a reduction drive type. These starters have a plastic planertary gears in side that will fail any time.
If the motor turns as described above the solinoid is working. Generaly after you rebrush these types the drive will fail..its called Murphys Law..Thats why Auto sparkys wont rebuild or repair them. Its cheaper to by a new one with warrenty...

If it was the older type Bosch one that you have to unbolt the rack to remove it, they are rebuildable if the armature is OK...

By your description its torn the gears..

[zx7rtas]

Im even more confused now! Whipped out this morning down to the sparky and had him test it,he didnt seem to think there was anything to suggest there was a problem,( although he was rushed for time,and didnt seem to give it a thorough examination). Apparently,GMH had to use a different bellhousing for my model,so it has a different starter than normal.This one is actually the same as you would find in a VP VG Auto.Could there be other faults that would cause this problem?Is it at all possible for me to pull the starter apart and be able to visualy see if there is a problem,or would it just be like an onion,the further you bite in,the worse it gets?

[VNCommyBeast]

yea, you need to know what you're looking for though

[zx7rtas]

Well,I pulled the end off it,had a look inside,2 of the 4 brushes seem to be pretty well worn down,the planetry gears ,there is 3 of them appear to be in good condition.I suppose i will have a go at replacing the brushes,if that fails I suppose I will have to spend the $550 that I was quoted for a new starter,unless someone knows where I can buy a cheaper one??????The sticker on the starter states that it is a Delco Remy.

[JAAV]

UMM is this an 6 or an 8 cly??

What ever way I think some one is ####ing you over with the price..