How To Test The Starter Motor (Ford 4.6L, 5.4L)

How To Test The Starter Motor (Ford 4.6L, 5.4L)

This is a simple guide that will help you to troubleshoot a bad starter motor on your 4.6L or 5.4L V8 equipped car, pick up or SUV. This is an on-car starter motor test that you'll be able to easily accomplish with some basic tools.

To see if this starter motor test tutorial covers your specific Ford vehicle, you can take a look at the list of applications on the box labeled ‘Applies To:’ on the column on the right and scroll with the prev and next links.

Important Safety Precautions

SUGGESTION 1: The photos I'm using show the starter motor off of the car (or mini-van) only to facilitate the explanation of the test. Do not remove the starter motor from the vehicle to perform the test steps in this tutorial.

SUGGESTION 2: It's critical that you make sure your battery is fully charged before you start any of the tests in this tutorial. Also, the battery cable terminals and battery posts must be clean and corrosion free.

SUGGESTION 3: Use jack stands to keep your Ford vehicle up in the air, don't trust the jack alone! Take all necessary safety precautions, like using jack stands to hold up the vehicle, wearing eye-protection (safety glasses), etc.

SUGGESTION 4: Remove the key from the ignition switch. This will prevent the engine from starting, in case the starter motor is OK.

SUGGESTION 5: If your vehicle has a standard transmission, then make sure that it's out of gear and in neutral and the parking brake is activated/on.

Symptoms Of A Bad 4.6L & 5.4L Starter Motor

The most common symptom of a bad starter are:

  • Turn the key to crank the car (or pick up or SUV) and the engine does not turn over (crank).
  • A jump start does not help. The vehicle's engine still refuses to crank.
  • The battery has been charged and/or replaced and still the vehicle does not crank.
  • 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.

What Tools Do I Need To Test The Starter Motor

The one tool that I recommend to use to test the starter motor is a remote starter switch (like the Actron CP7853). Here are the two things I like the most about this tool:

  • Remote Activation: The remote starter switch allows you to remotely activate the starter motor without having to access the ignition switch inside the vehicle. This can be particularly useful when working alone or when needing to test the starter motor from underneath the vehicle.
  • Diagnostic Testing: By connecting the remote starter switch to the starter motor's solenoid terminal and battery, you can bypass the ignition switch and directly engage the starter motor. This enables you to perform diagnostic tests on the starter motor to determine if it's functioning properly or if there are any issues with its operation.

You can buy it here:

STARTER TEST 1: Applying 12 Volts To The Starter Motor S Terminal

How To Test The Starter Motor (Ford 4.6L, 5.4L)

In this first test, we're gonna' use a remote starter switch to apply 12 Volts to the S terminal of the starter motor solenoid. If the starter motor is good, it'll activate and crank the engine.

If the starter motor doesn't activate and crank the engine (after applying 12 Volts to the S terminal), then you've got a bad starter motor on your hands.

By the way, if you don't have remote starter switch and you're wondering what this tool looks like, you can follow this link and take a look at it: Actron CP7853 Remote Starter Switch For 6V And 12V Automotive Starting Systems (you can buy this bad boy online or at your local autoparts store- AutoZone, O'Reilly Auto Parts, etc.).

OK, this is what you'll need to do:

  1. 1

    Jack up your Ford vehicle and place it on jack stands. You'll need to raise the vehicle to gain access to the starter motor.

  2. 2

    Disconnect the battery negative (-) terminal.

    You'll reconnect it back in one of the following steps, for now, it's a safety precaution as you set up the test.

  3. 3

    Attach a remote starter switch to the S terminal of the starter motor solenoid.

    This is easier said than done, so take your time and make sure the connection is on the S terminal of the starter motor solenoid.

  4. 4

    Reconnect the battery negative (-) cable to the battery negative post.

    Now, apply 12 Volts to the S terminal of the starter motor solenoid with your remote start switch. As you apply these 12 Volts (to the S terminal of the starter solenoid), you'll get one of two results:

    1. The starter will activate and will turn over the engine
    2. -OR-
    3. The starter motor won't do a thing.

Let's take a look at what your test results mean:

CASE 1: The starter motor cranked the engine. This means that the starter motor is good and that you have an electrical issue keeping the starter motor from cranking the engine.

The next step is to go to TEST 2 and see if the starter motor solenoid is getting the Start signal on the S terminal wire (circuit). Go to: TEST 2: Verifying The Start Signal.

CASE 2: The starter motor DID NOT crank the engine. This usually means that your starter motor is bad and needs to be rebuilt or replaced.

I suggest one more test and this is to test the battery cable (that attaches to the starter motor solenoid) for corrosion. This can be accomplished very easily with a voltage drop test. Go to: TEST 3: Voltage Drop Testing The Battery Cable.



Ford Vehicles:

  • Crown Victoria
    • 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
  • E150, E250, E350
    • 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
  • Expedition
    • 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002
  • Explorer (4.6L)
    • 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

Ford Vehicles:

  • F150, F250, F350
    • 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
  • Mustang GT & Cobra
    • 1996, 1997, 1998
  • Thunderbird
    • 1995, 1996, 1997

Lincoln Vehicles:

  • Navigator
    • 1998, 1999

Lincoln Vehicles:

  • Town Car
    • 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000

Mercury Vehicles:

  • Cougar
    • 1995, 1996, 1997
  • Grand Marquis
    • 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001
  • Mountaineer (4.6L)
    • 2000, 2001, 2002