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Old 09-08-2019, 07:23 PM
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MescaBug MescaBug is offline
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Default 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!

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Old 09-08-2019, 08:14 PM
gtoguys gtoguys is offline
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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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Old 09-08-2019, 09:25 PM
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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"!

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Old 09-08-2019, 09:28 PM
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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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Old 09-09-2019, 01:27 AM
Goatracer1 Goatracer1 is offline
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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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Old 09-09-2019, 09:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Goatracer1 View Post
If the cable was touching the purple wire or stud the solenoid would engage the starter drive and turn over the engine.
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.

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Old 09-09-2019, 09:36 AM
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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.

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Old 09-09-2019, 10:29 AM
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Another, although maybe remote, possibility

Check for battery cable lug hitting the post for the starter:







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  #9  
Old 09-09-2019, 10:43 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by johnta1 View Post
Another, although maybe remote, possibility

Check for battery cable lug hitting the post for the starter:
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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Old 09-09-2019, 01:19 PM
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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.








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Old 09-09-2019, 04:08 PM
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COOL!



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Old 09-09-2019, 06:05 PM
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yes sir...

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Old 09-09-2019, 06:09 PM
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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  
Old 09-11-2019, 05:48 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MescaBug View Post
...I am not very good with anything electrical. So any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Congrats on fixing your issue!

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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