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How to Test a Starter Solenoid Download ArticleExplore this Article methods 1 Locating the Starter Solenoid 2 Checking for Current from the Solenoid 3 Testing Current Resistance Other Sections Video Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Jason Shackelford
Last Updated: July 15, 2025 Approved
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This article was co-authored by Jason Shackelford. Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 23 testimonials and 86% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,181,967 times.
The starter solenoid is a fairly simple mechanism that transmits electrical current from the battery to the starter. When you turn the key, the solenoid engages, using the electrical motor in the starter to get your engine running. If the solenoid is not functioning properly, the vehicle may not start. Determining whether the issue is the starter solenoid, the battery or the starter itself can save you time and money when repairing it yourself and seeking to have the repair work done. Start by locating the starter and work to narrow down the cause of the issue.
Steps
Method 1 Method 1 of 3:
Locating the Starter Solenoid
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1 Open the hood of the vehicle. The starter and solenoid are located on the engine of your vehicle. In order to gain access to it, pull on the hood release located near the door on the driver’s side of the vehicle.[1]XResearch source
You will need to release the safety latch on the front of the vehicle in order to open the hood as well.
If you are unable to locate the safety release, refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual for directions.
2 Find the starter. The starter is usually located near where the engine and transmission meet. The starter itself is usually cylindrical in shape with a smaller cylinder attached to it. There should be a wire coming directly from the positive terminal of the battery to the starter.[2]XResearch source
While starters come in many sizes, they are usually shaped the same.
Refer to your vehicle’s service manual if you are unable to locate the starter.
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3 Identify the cylinder on the side of the starter. The smaller cylinder attached to the top or side of the starter is the starter solenoid. It is a fairly simple electrical mechanism that can fail, preventing the starter from engaging and starting the motor.[3]XResearch source
The starter solenoid will have two terminals coming out of its end.
The wire from the battery will connect to one of those two terminals.
4 Listen for the solenoid to click when the key is turned. Have a friend turn the key in the ignition to attempt to start the vehicle. Listen carefully, as you should hear a click when the starter solenoid engages. If you do not hear a click, the starter solenoid is likely not functioning properly. If you do hear clicking, the solenoid may be engaging, but not sufficiently.[4]XResearch source
Hearing clicking without the starter motor moving means the solenoid is transferring the electricity, but it may not be enough.
No clicking means the solenoid is not properly engaging, but this may also be due to a dead battery.
EXPERT TIP
Jason Shackelford
Auto Technician Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience. Jason Shackelford Auto Technician
Our Expert Agrees: If your starter solenoid is bad, you may hear a clicking sound when you turn the key, or your vehicle may not have any power at all.
5 Check the battery. If your starter is failing to engage, it may be because the battery does not have sufficient energy to power it. Rule this out by testing the battery with a volt meter. Low power could result in the starter clicking but failing to engage. Place the positive (red) lead on the voltmeter on the positive terminal of the battery and negative (black) lead on the negative terminal. [5]XResearch source
Your battery should measure at around 12 volts at a rest before you attempt to start the vehicle.
If the voltage is low, the battery may just need to be charged.
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Checking for Current from the Solenoid
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1 Connect a test light to the output terminal of the solenoid. There are two small terminals sticking out of the face of a starter solenoid. One is the 12 volt positive (top) that comes from the battery. When the starter solenoid is activated, it connects the lower terminal to the upper one internally, engaging the starter motor.[6]XResearch source
There should be continuous power going to the top solenoid terminal.
Press the red lead from the test light onto the top terminal and hold it in place.
2 Ground the black lead from the test light. The black lead from the test light must be connected to a grounded surface in order to complete the circuit and test the power passing through it. Any part of the body of the vehicle will suffice as a ground, provided it is bare metal.
You can touch the black lead to any bare metal on the body of the vehicle.
You may also touch it to the negative terminal on the battery.
3 Observe the light. If the light comes on when you have the test light touching the top terminal on the starter solenoid and the other lead grounded, it means there is electricity coming from the battery to the starter solenoid itself. This means there could be an issue with the solenoid, rather than simply a dead battery.[7]XResearch source
Once you have confirmed that there is power going to the solenoid, you can test if the solenoid is transferring it properly.
4 Switch the red lead to the lower terminal on the solenoid. Now that you have confirmed that there is power going into the solenoid, the next step is to determine whether or not the solenoid is transferring the power properly. Place the red lead on the lower terminal that should only have power when the vehicle is starting.[8]XResearch source
Hold the lead in place on the lower terminal.
Keep the black lead grounded.
5 Have a friend turn the ignition. While you hold the two leads in place, ask a friend to turn the ignition. This should make the solenoid bridge the connections internally and send electricity to the lower terminal on the solenoid.
Be careful not to get your hands or clothes in the way of any engine components that may move if the vehicle starts.
Do not allow the test light wiring to hang into the area around the belts.
6 Look for the light to come on. If the test light comes on, it means the solenoid is transferring power from the battery to the starter. If the starter fails to activate despite the light coming on, the starter itself may need to be replaced. If the light does not come on, it means the solenoid is failing to transfer the power and will need to be replaced.[9]XResearch source
You can often purchase a starter and starter solenoid together, as it may be easier to replace them both at once.
Make sure to tell the clerk at your local auto parts store the correct year, make and model of your vehicle to purchase the right replacement parts.
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Testing Current Resistance
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1 Connect the voltmeter to the positive terminal on the battery. A voltmeter will show you how much voltage is currently passing through the circuit the meter is a part of. Start by attaching the positive lead (red) from the voltmeter to the positive terminal on the battery.[10]XResearch source
The positive terminal will be labeled with the letters “POS” or the positive (+) symbol.
Some volt meters may clip into place, while others may require you to hold to lead onto the battery.
2 Connect the negative lead to the ground terminal. This test is to determine how much voltage the starter solenoid is drawing from the battery when it is attempting to start. Place the negative lead (black) from the voltmeter on the negative terminal on the battery to complete the circuit.[11]XResearch source
With the positive and negative leads connected to the battery, the voltmeter should turn on.
3 Observe the reading on the voltmeter. Your car battery should produce approximately 12 volts when nothing is drawing off of it. Read the display on the volt meter to ensure your battery is producing an adequate level of power.
If the voltmeter reads less than 12 volts, the vehicle may not be starting due to insufficient charge on the battery.
The number may jump around as you move the leads a bit and the meter tries to read the voltage. Wait for it to settle to determine the baseline voltage.
4 Have a friend turn the ignition. While holding the leads on the positive and negative terminals on the battery, have a friend turn the key in the ignition to attempt to start the vehicle. Be careful to stay clear of anything that may move if the engine actually starts.
The voltage reading from the battery should drop approximately half a volt while the starter attempts to start the vehicle.
If the voltage does not drop, there is an issue with the connection from the battery to the starter.
5 Move the voltmeter to the leads on the starter solenoid. Place the positive lead from the voltmeter on lower terminal from the solenoid (closer to the starter). Then place the negative lead on the upper most terminal coming from the battery. Have your friend turn the key again.[12]XResearch source
Ensure the leads are firmly touching or attached to the terminals coming from the solenoid for a good reading.
6 Look for an appropriate voltage drop. The voltage drop you see on the solenoid should match the drop you saw on the battery. The drop in voltage should not exceed a half a volt. If you do not read any voltage at all, the solenoid needs to be replaced.[13]XResearch source
If the voltage drops less than a half a volt, there is an issue inside the solenoid.
If the voltage drops too much, there may be a fault somewhere in the connection, such as a crimped line from the battery to the solenoid.
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Co-authored by: Jason Shackelford Auto Technician This article was co-authored by Jason Shackelford. Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience. This article has been viewed 1,181,967 times. 101 votes - 86% Co-authors: 17Updated: July 15, 2025 Views: 1,181,967 Categories: Car Batteries and IgnitionsArticle SummaryX
To test a starter solenoid, connect a test light to its output terminal to see if it has a current. If the light comes on, you'll know there's power going to the solenoid. If it doesn't, check your battery! When you know you have power, check that it’s being transferred properly by switching the red lead to the solenoid’s lower terminal. Have a friend try the ignition while you check the light. If the starter doesn’t come on even when the light comes on, you may need to replace the starter. If the light doesn’t come on at all, it may be time to replace the solenoid. For more information on testing a starter solenoid, like how to test current resistance, keep reading!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Reader Success Stories
Heather Young
Nov 13, 2016
"These were the best instructions I've followed. For well over an hour now I've been searching and reading numerous other sites but didn't feel confident that I understood how to proceed. This article is clear, concise and spoke layman's words. Excellent and thank you."..." more
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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Jason Shackelford Auto Technician Co-authors: 17Updated: July 15, 2025 Views: 1,181,96786% of readers found this article helpful. 101 votes - 86% Click a star to add your vote
Heather Young
Nov 13, 2016
"These were the best instructions I've followed. For well over an hour now I've been searching and reading numerous other sites but didn't feel confident that I understood how to proceed. This article is clear, concise and spoke layman's words. Excellent and thank you."..." more
Nell Barnett
Jan 15, 2017
"It gave me insight into what the mechanic was telling me so I am not totally in the dark. I wish I had been allowed to take auto mechanics back in my high school days, it seems interesting and could probably have saved me a ton of cash."..." more
Aaron Morales
Jul 9, 2018
"Very informative article that answered our questions on the starter and solenoid and how to test them to make sure they have power going to them!"..." more
Mike S.
Jul 20, 2019
"This was very very descriptive and was extremely helpful in helping me diagnose my '07 Taurus. Please keep up the great work!"..." more
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Aug 22, 2017
"I have limited automotive knowledge, so this was a "Solenoid/Starter for Dummies" lesson. Excellent diagram/pix as well."..." more Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories
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Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Locating the Starter Solenoid 2 Checking for Current from the Solenoid 3 Testing Current Resistance Other Sections Video Related Articles References Article Summary Co-authored by Jason Shackelford 
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Co-authored by: Jason Shackelford Auto Technician This article was co-authored by Jason Shackelford. Jason Shackelford is the Owner of Stingray Auto Repair, a family owned and operated auto repair shop with locations in Seattle and Redmond, Washington. He has over 24 years of experience in auto repair and services, and every single technician on Jason’s team has more than 10 years of experience. This article has been viewed 1,181,967 times. 101 votes - 86% Co-authors: 17 Updated: July 15, 2025 Views: 1,181,967 Categories: Car Batteries and Ignitions Article SummaryX
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1 Open the hood of the vehicle. The starter and solenoid are located on the engine of your vehicle. In order to gain access to it, pull on the hood release located near the door on the driver’s side of the vehicle.[1] 
2 Find the starter. The starter is usually located near where the engine and transmission meet. The starter itself is usually cylindrical in shape with a smaller cylinder attached to it. There should be a wire coming directly from the positive terminal of the battery to the starter.[2] 
3 Identify the cylinder on the side of the starter. The smaller cylinder attached to the top or side of the starter is the starter solenoid. It is a fairly simple electrical mechanism that can fail, preventing the starter from engaging and starting the motor.[3] 
4 Listen for the solenoid to click when the key is turned. Have a friend turn the key in the ignition to attempt to start the vehicle. Listen carefully, as you should hear a click when the starter solenoid engages. If you do not hear a click, the starter solenoid is likely not functioning properly. If you do hear clicking, the solenoid may be engaging, but not sufficiently.[4] 
5 Check the battery. If your starter is failing to engage, it may be because the battery does not have sufficient energy to power it. Rule this out by testing the battery with a volt meter. Low power could result in the starter clicking but failing to engage. Place the positive (red) lead on the voltmeter on the positive terminal of the battery and negative (black) lead on the negative terminal. [5] 
1 Connect a test light to the output terminal of the solenoid. There are two small terminals sticking out of the face of a starter solenoid. One is the 12 volt positive (top) that comes from the battery. When the starter solenoid is activated, it connects the lower terminal to the upper one internally, engaging the starter motor.[6] 
2 Ground the black lead from the test light. The black lead from the test light must be connected to a grounded surface in order to complete the circuit and test the power passing through it. Any part of the body of the vehicle will suffice as a ground, provided it is bare metal. 
3 Observe the light. If the light comes on when you have the test light touching the top terminal on the starter solenoid and the other lead grounded, it means there is electricity coming from the battery to the starter solenoid itself. This means there could be an issue with the solenoid, rather than simply a dead battery.[7] 
4 Switch the red lead to the lower terminal on the solenoid. Now that you have confirmed that there is power going into the solenoid, the next step is to determine whether or not the solenoid is transferring the power properly. Place the red lead on the lower terminal that should only have power when the vehicle is starting.[8] 
5 Have a friend turn the ignition. While you hold the two leads in place, ask a friend to turn the ignition. This should make the solenoid bridge the connections internally and send electricity to the lower terminal on the solenoid. 
6 Look for the light to come on. If the test light comes on, it means the solenoid is transferring power from the battery to the starter. If the starter fails to activate despite the light coming on, the starter itself may need to be replaced. If the light does not come on, it means the solenoid is failing to transfer the power and will need to be replaced.[9] 
1 Connect the voltmeter to the positive terminal on the battery. A voltmeter will show you how much voltage is currently passing through the circuit the meter is a part of. Start by attaching the positive lead (red) from the voltmeter to the positive terminal on the battery.[10] 
2 Connect the negative lead to the ground terminal. This test is to determine how much voltage the starter solenoid is drawing from the battery when it is attempting to start. Place the negative lead (black) from the voltmeter on the negative terminal on the battery to complete the circuit.[11] 
3 Observe the reading on the voltmeter. Your car battery should produce approximately 12 volts when nothing is drawing off of it. Read the display on the volt meter to ensure your battery is producing an adequate level of power. 
4 Have a friend turn the ignition. While holding the leads on the positive and negative terminals on the battery, have a friend turn the key in the ignition to attempt to start the vehicle. Be careful to stay clear of anything that may move if the engine actually starts. 
5 Move the voltmeter to the leads on the starter solenoid. Place the positive lead from the voltmeter on lower terminal from the solenoid (closer to the starter). Then place the negative lead on the upper most terminal coming from the battery. Have your friend turn the key again.[12] 
6 Look for an appropriate voltage drop. The voltage drop you see on the solenoid should match the drop you saw on the battery. The drop in voltage should not exceed a half a volt. If you do not read any voltage at all, the solenoid needs to be replaced.[13] 