2003 CTS Starter Pulses - How to manually test the starter installed

Description: Hey Folks, this video is a 2003 CTS that has a PULSING turn over issue with a known good starter. It also shows how to manually test your starter while it’s still in the car, WITHOUT having to pull it or replace it. If it turns over easily using the relay bypass method, it’s NOT the starter.
If it doesn’t turn over easily you have one of eight possible problems:
1. A bad Starter, also don’t forget loose starter bolts that can cause bad ground connections.
2. A WEAK Battery. Charge it and place a voltmeter on the battery when starting. Below 10vdc bad.
3. A bad Solenoid mounted on the starter, their internal contacts get dirty and don’t work well. Jack the car up, put it on jack stands and smack the starter body with a heavy rod or hammer. If it starts easily while hitting it, it’s most likely the solenoid, but it can be bad brush contacts. Remove and have it tested.
4. A bad Battery connection, this can be the rings, bolts or corrosion on the post & battery connection pad.
5. A Bad Battery Cable. Either the Positive or the Negative. With a full battery charge, place a voltmeter on the battery when starting. Note the voltage is not below 10vdc. Next place the car on jack stands and place a voltmeter on the battery cable on the starter and try and start it. The battery voltage should be within a half a volt of the battery voltage. If not, the battery cable is most likely bad.
6. A bad Ground for your Negative Battery Cable. Remove and inspect both ends, clean re-install and test again.
7. Bad wires going to or from your fuse box to the starter Solenoid. Pull the connectors and inspect them for corrosion or burnt contacts. Clean if dirty, if not dirty use an ohm meter and test the resistance of the wires while wiggling them. The ohm should be not more than 1 ohm from end to end.
8. Corrosion in the fuse box. Use a light and inspect the pin contacts that are associated with the starter circuits. You’ll have to pull the IGN-1 & Starter Relays to see ins..