I'm having very intermittent lack of starter rotation on a Toyota T-100. Over the last 14 years I have replaced the contacts it the solenoid and more recently (1 to 2 years) replaced the starter. For trouble shooting I have a meter with one lead connected to the bolt on the solenoid and the other to the frame. The plan is; if I can get it to malfunction while trying to start it and the voltage on the solenoid is 13.7v vs 10.7 then I know the solenoid contacts didn't connect (if they clicked) or the starter is open (less likely). If the solenoid clicks and the voltage drops to a low value then I probably have a bad connection in the wiring.
So far I have engaged the starter 25 times without malfunction. Letting things cool, then I'll try again, if I hit 100 my work is done for this go round!
Question 1) The battery voltage sets at 12.7, when I energize the starter it drops to 10.7. Is that a normal voltage under starter load?
Question 2) In the old days, you could remove the coil wire to run a starter without starting the motor. How do you disable the spark on these newer vehicles without a distributor cap? (newer 1997) :-)
Mikek