My badly needing replaced small car has given me a real headache in that I moved it up drive at side of house to wash and by accident it was started while in gear with hand brake on. Engine turned over car jumped forward an inch or so before ignition turned off ( car is manual)
Put car in neutral and turned starter key , nothing at all ,no sound other than faint click which sounded like a solenoid movement. All dashboard lights come on, battery seemed ok and since has been charged so it has 13 v at terminals not under load.
Seems likely to be starter motor problem but starter motor is not visible ,encased in bell housing only a connection on end of lead from positive post on battery to bell housing .
Someone trying to help has suggested using my voltmeter to measure in parallel voltage drop on this cable.when under starting load .
How do I do this if cable is connected ,I presume it's black cable on voltmeter to negative ie earth on battery ,but red voltmeter connector to what remembering I can't get access to starter motor itself just the socket connection. Also what is the difference between a series and parallel connection in this case .
If this doesn't throw up any bad result does anyone have any other helpful suggestions other than get rid of a car or call in an expert.
Car is now blocking drive for access to garage doors ,taking out bins etc so major headache ( and wife is not too happy either !)
I am safety conscious but any safety hints gladly accepted ,real non expert on electronics.
Put car in neutral and turned starter key , nothing at all ,no sound other than faint click which sounded like a solenoid movement. All dashboard lights come on, battery seemed ok and since has been charged so it has 13 v at terminals not under load.
Seems likely to be starter motor problem but starter motor is not visible ,encased in bell housing only a connection on end of lead from positive post on battery to bell housing .
Someone trying to help has suggested using my voltmeter to measure in parallel voltage drop on this cable.when under starting load .
How do I do this if cable is connected ,I presume it's black cable on voltmeter to negative ie earth on battery ,but red voltmeter connector to what remembering I can't get access to starter motor itself just the socket connection. Also what is the difference between a series and parallel connection in this case .
If this doesn't throw up any bad result does anyone have any other helpful suggestions other than get rid of a car or call in an expert.
Car is now blocking drive for access to garage doors ,taking out bins etc so major headache ( and wife is not too happy either !)
I am safety conscious but any safety hints gladly accepted ,real non expert on electronics.