Step 1: Locate the solenoid

This may seem obvious, but sometimes can be tougher than it seems. The exact location may vary depending on vehicle make and model, but the overall concept will be the same.

You will need to open up the hood of your vehicle and locate the engine. Both the starter and the solenoid will be found here. You will need to locate the starter, which is one large cylinder with a smaller cylinder attached to it. This smaller cylinder will have two terminals coming out of each end. This cylinder will be your solenoid as shown below.

Step 2: Click Test

This is where you’re helpful friend will come in handy. Have this friend start your car while you are still near the solenoid. Make sure you are at a safe distance from the engine while it ignites. This is also where your protective eyewear would come in handy. Safety is incredibly important while performing any test involving motors, engines, ignitions, etc.

Do your best to listen for a “click” noise. If the click is strong and loud, it most likely means the solenoid has enough power and is working properly. If the clicking you are hearing is quiet or repetitive, it may be that your solenoid is not strong enough or does not have enough power from the battery. If you hear no sound at all or the car doesn’t start, this could be a sign of a faulty solenoid.

Even if you do hear a strong click when listening for your solenoid, you will still want to continue in this process to be sure that everything is working accurately.

Step 3: The Multimeter

This multimeter will be used to check voltage on your solenoid. Again, make sure that you are at a safe distance from the engine and wearing safety glasses and protective gloves. Attach the positive wire (usually red) from the multimeter to the positive terminal on the solenoid. This is the terminal going to the starter. Next, place the negative wire (black) from the multimeter onto the terminal coming from the battery. At this point, your multimeter should be on with all wires connected as seen in the photo below. In this photo, a battery pack is being used to provide the voltage (12V) whereas in your situation it will be the car battery.

Next, have your friend attempt to start the vehicle again. When the ignition turns on, you should see a drop in voltage. The target range for a drop of voltage is around 0.5V. If you see significantly more or less (including no drop in V), it is time to replace your solenoid.

It is also important to keep in mind that the target voltage range for a battery is around 12V. If your multimeter reads far away from this number, the problem is with your battery and not the solenoid.

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