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These days, direct current (or DC) electric motors are used in a wide range of applications, such as moving windows and seats in your car. Due to the hidden nature of these motors, it can be extremely difficult to complete any repair or maintenance on them without pulling apart whatever is causing it. This is why, once you’ve managed to get access to your DC electric motor, you should always immediately check to see if it’s “gone” and needs to be replaced.
Begin by removing the DC motor from its mount, making sure you’ve removed any sources of electricity that could accidentally start it turning. You may need to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to do this, as some motors are too tight in position and can pose an electric shock hazard.
Next, you can check the continuity (or connection) of the electric motor by connecting it to a volt ohmmeter. Make sure the meter is in the “Ohms” position, then attach the red and black leads to its connections (the red lead should be connected to the “Ohms” and the black leads should be to the “Common” point). Check that the meter is working properly by touching these two wires together – the screen should read zero ohms (or full continuity).
To test your DC motor, touch the leads of the ohmmeter to the motor leads. The meter screen should indicate a low resistance (somewhere between 10 and 30 ohms), but if it reads infinite ohms or an open circuit, you should be rotating the end shaft of the motor. As this shaft rotates, the ohmmeter should give varying readings (which is an indication that the electric motor itself is good, but there is a problem with the electrical circuit. If the meter is still reading as an open circuit , then the conducting brushes may have been “bad”.
Use a screwdriver to remove the brushes from the end of the electric motor (you can find them under the plastic end cap on the motor’s opposite end of the drive shaft). Inspect the brushes carefully for any signs of surface cracks or breaks – the area of the brush that sits against the conductor or commutator should be smooth and curved. If any wire or spring is broken, the motor will fail. If the brushes appear to be fine, the problem may be in the commutator.
Take the screwdriver again and use it to remove the rear end cap of the DC electric motor (by removing the two screws that run the length of the motor). Inspect the plates holding the commutator assembly – there should be an opening between each. If you notice any broken wires or burnt varnish, the commutator has failed and its damaged parts will need to be replaced.
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