starter solonoid wiring

khall · #1 (**permalink**) 05-04-2004, 02:04 PM

I have my new 428 up on the test stand all wired up and ready for the first start and break-in. However, I just don't seem to be able to correctly hook up the Ford starter solonoid! Besides the two obvious batt. cable terminals there are two smaller terminals marked "I" and "S". To the "S" terminal I have hooked up the 12v output from my start button (it works). To the "I" terminal I jumped a 12v line from the batt. + terminal. I assume that the "I" terminal is an ignition on signal required to activate the solonoid since on my SPF it shows 12v only when the ignition switch is on. What the heck am I missing here? Does the solonoid need to be grounded through the mount plate? I have a spare solonoid that refuses to work with this wiring setup also. The starter works fine without the solonoid.

Help!

kh

Mr.Fixit · #2 (**permalink**) 05-04-2004, 02:09 PM

The two little terminals:
one triggers the solenoid
the other feeds 12V to the coil to bypass the ballast resistor during start-up (often unused)

the solenoid needs to be grounded via it's mounting plate.

khall · #3 (**permalink**) 05-04-2004, 02:36 PM

Yep, that's the story. The solonoid needs to be well grounded! How many times have we been told - check the ground, check the ground?

Michael C Henry · #4 (**permalink**) 05-06-2004, 10:42 PM

I'm rewiring my car and tested the starter circut.It worked once. Now the solenoid is dead.I lost any connection between S and ground .The solinoid is a powder blue ford style. The metal plate forms base cover and is bent up the back for mounting.The powder blue plastic housing has a large "S" with a straight bar through it horizontaly on top and made in USA. Can you Identify it? I dread going shopping at $2+ gas.