Exercising the 12V starter

[davenm]

With the weather turning colder rather quickly, I was wondering about the best method for testing/exercising the 12V starter.
A post from a few years ago suggests using the IMA switch to force the 12V starter to be used.

dummy here: how to tell if 12v starter is doing starting?

The encyclopedia, page 48, suggests removing fuse #2 (the IMA fuse I presume) to disable the IMA.

I think either would work, with the fuse-pulling entailing less work than turning off the IMA switch.
Any thoughts/issues reagrding either approach?

[Willie Williford]

davenm:
Sorry we couldn't hang around longer Tue. Maybe at the next gathering.
I haven't heard of anyone using the #2 fuse removal as an aid. Others have used the switch.
Be the first and let us know the results.
HTH
Willie

[Rainsux]

Dave, why not just turn everything off, make sure the car is in neutral, and connect the starter to the 12V with a jumper cable?

Sam

[JimIsbell]

Jumper cables and fuses are the hard way to do it.

Just switch off the IMA battery with the switch under the mat in the package shelf.

You should do it at least once a year. When I got my car I was unfamiliar with it but after reading the manual I realised that was a test that needed to be done. I checked, and guess what, the starter was INOP, badly broken!! I replaced the starter immediately!