How To Test The Starter Motor (1996-2000 1.6L Honda Civic)

In this tutorial, I'll explain step-by-step how to test the starter motor on your 1.6L Honda Civic.

The 3 tests I'm gonna show you how to do will help you find out if the starter motor is good or bad (and behind the engine's no-crank problem).

APPLIES TO: This tutorial to the following vehicles:

• 1.6L Honda Civic CX: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000.
• 1.6L Honda Civic DX: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000.
• 1.6L Honda Civic EX: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000.
• 1.6L Honda Civic LX: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000.

Important Safety Precautions

SUGGESTION 1: The starter motor shown in the photos is removed from the car to make it easier to show you where to probe with your multimeter. When testing the starter motor on your Honda Civic, don't remove it from the car—perform the tests with it installed.

SUGGESTION 2: Make sure the battery in your Honda is fully charged before starting any of the tests in this tutorial. Also, check that the battery cable terminals and posts are clean and free of corrosion to ensure accurate results.

SUGGESTION 3: If you need to raise your Civic to access the starter motor, use jack stands to hold it up safely! Never trust the jack alone to keep the car elevated. Always take safety precautions, such as using jack stands, wearing safety glasses, and working on a stable surface.

SUGGESTION 4: If your Honda has a standard transmission, make sure it's out of gear and in neutral, with the parking brake set before starting any work.

Symptoms Of A Bad Starter Motor

The most common symptoms of a bad starter are:

1. No response when turning the key: You turn the key to crank and start your Honda Civic (Civic del Sol, CRX), but nothing happens.
2. Failed jump-start: You had someone help you jump-start your Honda, but the engine still didn't crank.
3. New battery didn't solve the problem: You bought a brand-new battery, thinking it would fix the no-crank issue, but the car still won't start.
4. Knocking sound when turning the key: You turn the key to start your Honda, but all you hear is a faint knocking sound and nothing else.

Although this list isn't exhaustive, the common thread across all these symptoms—and others like them—is that the engine does not turn over when you turn the key to crank the engine in your Honda Civic.

Tools Needed To Test The Starter Motor

Actron CP7853 Remote Starter Switch for 6V and 12V Automotive Starting Systems

You don't need expensive test equipment to test the starter motor on your Honda Civic but you do need a few things. These are:

1. Jack (if applicable): You may (or may not) need to raise your Honda Civic to access the starter motor. Depending on your vehicle's configuration, the starter motor may be located at the rear of the engine (facing the firewall) and underneath the intake manifold.
2. Jack stands (if applicable): Always use jack stands for safety if you need to raise the vehicle.
3. Remote starter switch: If you'd like to see what a remote starter switch looks like, check out this link:
   • Actron CP7853 Remote Starter Switch For 6V And 12V Automotive Starting Systems
4. Multimeter or 12V Test Light: If you don't have a multimeter or need to upgrade yours, here's a helpful guide:
   • Buying A Digital Multimeter For Automotive Diagnostic Testing (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).
5. Wire Piercing Probe: While not an absolute must-have, a wire piercing probe can make it much easier to test the S terminal wire for the Start Signal. If you'd like to see what this tool looks like, check out this review:
   • Wire Piercing Probe Tool Review (Power Probe PWPPPPP01).
6. A helper: You'll need someone to help with the testing process.

As you can see, you don't need anything too expensive to get started. OK, let's dive into the first starter motor test!

TEST 1: Applying 12 Volts To The S Terminal

The first step in determining if the starter motor is bad is to apply 12 Volts directly to it using a remote starter switch.

If the starter motor is fried, applying 12 Volts manually to the starter solenoid's S terminal with the remote starter switch will not activate it.

On the other hand, if the starter motor is good and the issue lies elsewhere (such as a faulty neutral safety switch), applying 12 Volts manually will activate the starter motor and crank the engine.

NOTE: Accessing the starter solenoid's S terminal to apply 12 Volts manually can be tricky, but it's doable. What I recommend is to use a wire piercing probe to pierce the S terminal wire, then connect your remote starter switch to it. Once connected, proceed with the test. If you'd like to see what this tool looks like, check out this review: Wire Piercing Probe Tool Review (Power Probe PWPPPPP01).

S Terminal: The starter motor on your Honda has two wires attached to it. One wire is attached with a nut and this one goes directly to the battery positive post. The other wire, which is usually referred to as the S terminal, attaches to the starter motor using a female spade terminal.

IMPORTANT: Remove the key from the ignition switch for this test.

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

1. 1

   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.

2. 2

   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.
   
   NOTE: You can also connect the remote starter switch to the starter motor solenoid's S terminal wire using some sort of wire piercing probe. If this is the option you choose, make sure the S terminal wire is connected to the starter solenoid when you are done setting up your connections.

3. 3

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

4. 4

   Apply 12 Volts to the S terminal (or the S terminal wire depending on how you've set up the test) of the starter motor starter solenoid with your remote starter switch.

5. 5

   You'll get one of two results:
   
   1.) The starter will activate and will turn over the engine.
   
   2.) 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 test result lets you know that the starter motor is OK and functioning. It also tells you that the probable cause, of it not working when you turn the key to start the engine, is a lack of the 12 Volt Start signal on the S terminal of the starter motor solenoid.

The next step is to go to TEST 2 and see if the starter motor is getting the 12 Volt Start signal on the S terminal wire (circuit). Go to: TEST 2: Verifying The 12 Volt 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 2 more tests and these are make sure that the starter motor is getting its 12 Volt Start signal and to test the battery cable (that attaches to the starter motor) for corrosion. This can be accomplished very easily with a voltage drop test.

• Go to: TEST 2: Verifying The 12 Volt Start Signal.
• Go to: TEST 3: Voltage Drop Testing The Battery Cable.