         
"Ground Rules" Starter Ground Checks Suppose the starter cranks sluggishly or won't crank at all. Connect one voltmeter lead to the starter case, the other to the negative battery terminal. Safely disable the ignition or fuel pump so the engine won't start, then crank the engine for about 10 seconds. The voltmeter reading must not exceed .50 volt. If the voltage drop is greater, look for the ground cable problem or an improperly grounded starter motor. Never assume the starter is grounded properly just because it's bolted to the engine. Vehicle age, combined with road grime can severely corrode the starter-to-the engine connection. Keep one test lead on the starter case. Then move the other to a clean spot on the block. Crank the engine again. If the voltmeter reading exceeds .100 volt, remove the starter. Then clean the starter-to-engine contact areas, reinstall the starter and retest. Source: MOTOR November 1994 By Dan Marinucci 
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