Before diagnosing the starter, make sure the battery is fully charged.
1. If the starter does not rotate at all when the ignition key is turned, make sure the gear lever is in the «N» or «P» (automatic transmission) or, if provided, the clutch pedal is depressed (manual transmission).
2. Make sure. that the battery is charged and that all wires, both on the battery terminals and on the traction relay terminals, are clean and securely fastened.
3. If the starter turns but the engine does not crank, the starter freewheel is slipping and the starter needs to be replaced.
4. If the starter does not rotate when the ignition key is turned, then the traction relay makes a click, then the problem lies either in the battery, or in the contacts of the traction relay, or in the starter itself (or stuck engine).
5. If the action of the traction relay plunger is not heard when the ignition key is turned, then the battery is faulty, the ignition switch is defective, the safety wire is blown (chain break) or the traction relay itself is faulty.
6. To test the traction relay, connect a jumper between the battery (+) and a terminal for turning on the traction relay (small terminal). If the starter now works, then the traction relay is in order and the problem lies in the ignition switch, starter inhibitor switch (models with automatic transmission), clutch switch (some models with manual transmission) and in wires.
7. If the starter still does not work, remove the traction relay / starter assembly for disassembly, inspection and repair.
8. If the starter cranks the engine at an abnormally slow speed, then first of all make sure that the battery is charged and that all terminals are tight. If the engine seizes or the wrong viscosity oil is used, the engine will crank slowly.
9. Warm up the engine to normal operating temperature, then disconnect the ignition coil high-voltage wire from the ignition distributor cover and connect it to the housing.
10. Connect the positive probe of the voltmeter to the positive terminal of the battery, and the negative probe to the negative terminal.
11. Turn the engine over and take steady voltmeter readings. Do not allow the starter to rotate for more than 10 seconds without interruption. A voltage of 9 V or more is normal when the starter is cranking the engine at normal speed. If the reading is 9 V or more, but the rotation speed is low, then the starter is faulty or there is a problem with the battery (faulty or damaged).