starter draw
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 389
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From: Rochester, NY
starter draw
Can anyone tell me what the normal amp draw of the starter is? I'm trying to determine if mine is faulty. I measured between about 360 amps a couple of times, which seems real high to me. I cleaned the terminals on the battery and seems to have dropped to around 300A. That still seems way high - we checked our 4.0L Ranger for reference and measured 160-180 amps.
Background - my van has been no-start for the past couple of days. It cranks over readily but doesn't fire. The fuel pump is running and I can smell gas if crank for a while, so I know that isn't it. My sister's Windstar had a similar problem a while ago, which turned out to be a worn starter. The starter still ran, but it drew so much amperage that the ignition system didn't have have enough current to operate. Since the symptoms were similar, I started by measuring the amp draw.
After putting it the heated garage at work over night so it was out of the rain and could warm up a little, it started right up today, but I'm not sure if I'd trust it to restart in my driveway tomorrow...
Background - my van has been no-start for the past couple of days. It cranks over readily but doesn't fire. The fuel pump is running and I can smell gas if crank for a while, so I know that isn't it. My sister's Windstar had a similar problem a while ago, which turned out to be a worn starter. The starter still ran, but it drew so much amperage that the ignition system didn't have have enough current to operate. Since the symptoms were similar, I started by measuring the amp draw.
After putting it the heated garage at work over night so it was out of the rain and could warm up a little, it started right up today, but I'm not sure if I'd trust it to restart in my driveway tomorrow...
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,416
Likes: 1
From: Mitchell, SD
That does sound like a starter on its last leg. However, the solinoid could be shot too and the moisture is creaping in causing your high amp usage. 160-180 amps sounds about right on a good starter, compared to the 360 amps you are now currently experienceing.
I would take the starter down to autozone or wherever and get it tested for free.
I would take the starter down to autozone or wherever and get it tested for free.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Starters can draw up to 500 amps no problem. Just make sure the voltage at the starter when cranking is over 9.5 volts If not you may have a bad connection or a low battery. Low voltage can equal higher amperage. Plus if the battery voltage is around 9v or more the ignition should start the van.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 5,720
Likes: 5
From: Washington state
how old are spark plug wires?
main batt ground to engine block cable can corrode inside insulation causing start and other electrical problems...usually at batt connector...difficult to see...
Ford Service cd says nominal 4L starter current is 130>220a
cd says 10.5v minimum to PCM and ignition coil pack
what weight oil....4L's like 5w30 or even 0w30 for cold winter starting with less than 0d F temps
main batt ground to engine block cable can corrode inside insulation causing start and other electrical problems...usually at batt connector...difficult to see...
Ford Service cd says nominal 4L starter current is 130>220a
cd says 10.5v minimum to PCM and ignition coil pack
what weight oil....4L's like 5w30 or even 0w30 for cold winter starting with less than 0d F temps
Last edited by 96_4wdr; Jan 4, 2006 at 03:27 AM.
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