Starter Solenoid??

[iwantacobra427]

I noticed the FIA cars have the starter solenoid on the firewall. My solenoid is located on the starter (see picture). Can I install the firewall type solenoid and not use the starter mounted solenoid??? Or do I have to use the started mounted one? Do I use both???

[Pete Munroe]

wanta,

I have the firewall solenoid AND a solenoid on the "CVR geared starter"? (I got the CVR from either Jegs or Summit back in 2000.)

For the life of me I can not remember how they are wired...

I THINK the firewall solenoid simply activates the starter directly...but I would have to get under the car and dig out the diagrams to remember if the starter mounted solenoid is bypassed or is just in series with the first solenoid.

Bottom line, run the firewall solenoid...looks correct and is a great place to hook up cables to charge the battery.

I will try to check out how I did it...bet someone posts the answer sooner!

Pretty sure I just connected the power line on the first solenoid to the terminal on the starter.

have fun,

Pete

[iwantacobra427]

Maybe it's a relay solenoid? I did a search on NAPA and found part # ECH ST81 which looks like what folks have on their firewall. NAPA calls it a relay solenoid.

[Pete Munroe]

wanta,

What ever you call it, its the same firewall or fender mounted relay that has been used on millions of Ford installations...

Not anything special.

Poke around at pictures of engine compartments of Mustangs, Fairlanes, etc...all the same stuff...

If you have any questions, look at the ERA manual.

Don't be afraid to call ERA and talk to Doug...he has been there forever, at least since 97' when I went there and he is always helpfull.

The whole thing is a learning experience about what matters and what doesn't.

Again, have fun, slow down, call ERA and re-read the manual...they do know what they are doing...and are glad to explain what, why and how if you call.

Pete

[SSSammy]

IWC, there are two ways to do it, both using the OEM firewall style solenoid. The ERA way assumes the old Ford starter is used, but works as well with a solenoid starter as long as the jumper is installed on the starter from the big positive lug to the smaller solenoid lug. Your starter instructions should cover this.

From working on a friend's SPF .. the SPF way bolts the battery cable and the starter cable to the battery side of the solenoid, keeping the starter battery lug hot continuously. The starter solenoid is connected to the switched side of the firewall solenoid.

The ignition wire and circuit breaker connections are the same either way.

Sam

[strictlypersonl]

Our preference is to retain the firewall solenoid as a convenient buss for power connections. I'm working on instructions for wiring the remote solenoid and should post them within a day or two.

[Cobra 29]

On my ERA I kept the firewall solenoid when I installed a mini-FMS starter which has a solenoid on it. Keeping the firewall solenoid allows you to keep the "S" and "I" wires and connections.

Original wiring

Heavy cable from battery to battery terminal on solenoid,two small wires connect to the S and I terminals on the solenoid, and a heavy cable from the "starter" terminal on the solenoid to the original (non-solenoid) starter.

New wiring

Heavy cable from battery to positive (larger) terminal on the new mini-starter then second heavy cable from same starter terminal to "battery" side of the firewall solenoid to feed battery power to remaining circuits. Keep the same small wires to the S and I terminals on the firewall solenoid. Last connection: run "trip" or small gauge wire from "starter" side terminal on the firewall solenoid to the solenoid terminal on the new starter.

The electrical load on the firewall solenoid is drastically reduced. You keep the firewall solenoid in place for looks and to keep current electrical connections.

[strictlypersonl]

Here's a new page with wiring instructions for the integral-solenoid starter. (Also added in the PDF wiring instructions.)

Remote Solenoid