starter field coil -- how to evaluate

[jim_uny]

how do you evaluate a field coil in a starter ?

what test and what tool ?
 

[teddy52food]

Use a test light to make sure it is not grounded to the case. Also make sure it has continuity. Insulation should be good , not falling apart. What is your problem?
 

[Janicholson]

Unless you have a very sensitive Ohm meter, you will only find zero resistance. It is probably .01 ohms or so. Teddy has the idea covered. Jim
 

[jim_uny]

no problem. i just want to know if it is within specs or throw out. i live on hill in winter and want good crank. also is there a good tool to take out phillips head screw other than impact punch & big phillips on wratchet.
 

[Janicholson]

Do not take it apart unless it is bad. The info below on the question of generator field poles is the same issue. Jim
 

[John T]

I cant say exactly, too many different gennys, and I agree with Teddy and Jimbo HOWEVER the sum of BOTH field coils in series Id expect maybe around 2 to 4 ohms of resistance buttttttt as Jim notes a cheap meter isnt accurate at such low resistance. Still in line with Teddys great advice, if they show EITHER an open circuit orrrrrrrrr theres any short path (very low ohms)to the case frame, they are BADDDDDDD. Thats all insulated wire remember so its NOT shorted to the case

NOTE the armature needs to be out of the circuit or the brushes lifted or insulated cuz otherwise about everyplace shows a dead short to case frame via the grounded brush well duhhhhhhh

While this simple low voltage test shows if they are bad it dont necessarily show they are good cuz once warmed up and at higher voltages thats when they can break down even if the 2 tests above indicates they are okay (continuous and not shorted to case)

Often theres a short or an open where the 2 splice in the middle.

John T
 

[Janicholson]

Hello John, It is a starter, not Genny But I almost read it that way too. Jim
 

[John T]

OOPS silly me why was I thinkin starter hmmmmmmmmm lol fer sure about anything on a starter (series wound I guess) is gonna read very lowwwwwwwww ohms as its that big heavy copper wire. Thanks for the correction

John T