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#1
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Starter turn when positive battery cable is hooked up
Just finished a partial engine rebuild. I tested the wiring a few weeks ago and everything worked. The only difference is that I used a jumper wire from the battery to the starter, and the alternator wasnt there. Hooked up the battery, turn the key, and the starter turned and engaged the flywheel.
Now, as soon as I touch the positive lead, the starter turn and it sparks.... The starter doesnt engage, it just turns. Seems like the electrical circuit is always on without the key in the ignition. My first thought was that the positive battery cable at the starter touches the purple wire? It has a big lug, so maybe it touches the purple wire terminal... With the manifold in place, I couldnt see. Just trying to get some advices before taking everything apart. I am not very good with anything electrical. So any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! |
#2
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That would be the first thing I would check. When you tighten the nut on the battery cable onto the solenoid, it can move. Take a mirror and look.
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#3
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Your solenoid is bad. Solenoid has 2 functions. The internal stud and washer create the circuit for the starter to turn. The purple wire completes the circuit for the solenoid coil to engage the bendix to the flywheel. Sounds like the washer and stud are fried together. just a thought.
"Bill"! |
#4
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From what I understand, if I disconnect the purple wire, and it still turns when the battery is connected, that means the solenoid is bad, as in stuck closed internaly?
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#5
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If the cable was touching the purple wire or stud the solenoid would engage the starter drive and turn over the engine.
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#6
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Yes, but it would also cause the solenoid to pull the Bendix into the flywheel. According to the original complaint, that is not happening. Bill Ryder's post is correct.
__________________
My Pontiac is a '57 GMC with its original 347" Pontiac V8 and dual-range Hydra-Matic. |
#7
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Only the starter motor turns, the Bendix does not come out.
So yeah, I think Bill Ryder's post is correct in saying that the problem is internal to the solenoid. I'll look into it today. I have to drop the downpipes and remove the manifold to have a good look at the starter/solenoid. |
#8
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Another, although maybe remote, possibility
Check for battery cable lug hitting the post for the starter:
__________________
John Wallace - johnta1 Pontiac Power RULES !!! www.wallaceracing.com Winner of Top Class at Pontiac Nationals, 2004 Cordova Winner of Quick 16 At Ames 2004 Pontiac Tripower Nats KRE's MR-1 - 1st 5 second Pontiac block ever! "Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts." "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." – Socrates |
#9
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Good call. Real possibility I would say. The positive battery cable touching that post would feed the starter motor, but not the Bendix.
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#10
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The positive battery cable was vey close to the starter post. If it wasnt touching, it was close enough to cause an electrical arc. My guess it that the lug turned clockwise when I torqued the nut and it stopped against the starter post.
I did a continuity test between the purple wire post and the battery post, and it came out negative. That’s good news, it means the solenoid is not stuck ‘closed’ internally. I will hook up the battery tonite and post the results. |
#11
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COOL!
__________________
John Wallace - johnta1 Pontiac Power RULES !!! www.wallaceracing.com Winner of Top Class at Pontiac Nationals, 2004 Cordova Winner of Quick 16 At Ames 2004 Pontiac Tripower Nats KRE's MR-1 - 1st 5 second Pontiac block ever! "Every man has a right to his own opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts." "People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid." – Socrates |
#12
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yes sir...
"Bill"! |
#13
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All good, no spark, no starter whine!
The cable was in fact, touching the starter post. Simple mistake, but I did learn a bit about starter and solenoids lol. Thanks for all the advices and comments, really appreciated. I love this forum. |
#14
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Quote:
I think anyone who owns a Fluke multimeter and knows how to use it is better than not very good!!! Nicely done. |
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