How To Test A Bad Starter Motor (Ford 3.0L, 3.8L)

Symptoms Of A Bad Starter Motor

The most common symptom of a bad starter are:

  1. 1

    You turn the key to crank the car (or pick up or min-van) and nothing happens. The engine will not turn over.

  2. 2

    You've tried jump starting the battery (either with battery jump cables or a jump box) and the engine still refuses to crank.

  1. 3

    The battery has been charged and/or replaced with no luck.

  2. 4

    Turn the key to start the car (or pick up or SUV) and all you hear is a small knock and nothing else.

Although the above list is a not a very complete list of symptoms, the theme that runs thru' them, and any other related symptom, is that the engine will not turn over when the key is turned to crank the vehicle.

Related Test Articles

I love writing about how to test stuff and I've written quite a bit about the 3.0L and 3.8L equipped Ford cars. So, if you found this tutorial helpful, you might be interested in the others. You can find them by checking out this link: Ford 3.0L, 3.8L Index Of Articles.

At easyautodiagnostics.com, you'll find the following articles:

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Ford Vehicles:

  • Aerostar 3.0L
    • 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  • Mustang 3.8L
    • 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004
  • Probe 3.0L
    • 1990, 1991, 1992
  • Ranger 3.0L
    • 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997

Ford Vehicles:

  • Taurus 3.0L, 3.8L
    • 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
  • Tempo 3.0L
    • 1992, 1993, 1994
  • Thunderbird 3.8L
    • 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997

Lincoln Vehicles:

  • Windstar 3.0L, 3.8L
    • 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

Lincoln Vehicles:

  • Continental 3.8L
    • 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994

Mercury Vehicles:

  • Cougar 3.8L
    • 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  • Sable 3.0L, 3.8L
    • 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
  • Topaz 3.0L
    • 1992, 1993, 1994

Mazda Vehicles:

  • B3000 3.0L
    • 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997