Wow, I thought I was going to be beyond this by now. My old starter solenoid is still giving me problems, leaking out power and trying to turn over if a wire brush hits it, all that. I've ordered replacement solenoids from several companies, can't even remember who all, and the same thing every time. Hook it up and nothing. People are starting to give me a hard time, who know I have the truck but never drive it (nevermind how much gas that would take!) but seriously, I would love to hear if anyone knows of something brilliant I've missed. I'm beginning to wonder if the fellow who rewired it to 12 volt used a solenoid off something else, since nothing I've seen looks like mine. The single post on it comes straight out from the center, not off at an angle like EVERY solenoid I can find. Maybe there's something significant there?
Do you have a stock set up otherwise than the 12 volt conversion? I went to NAPA and they told me that the stock 6v solenoid should work just fine, and it has for 2 years now. They looked it up and their catalog had a picture of it as well, it's the kind with an auxillary push button on the bottom side of the solenoid where you can crank it over from under the hood. If you still have the stock push button start, etc., I'd go back with the stock solenoid. I think if you really had to crank and crank it might be hard on the 6V solenoid, but my flatty fires in a fraction of a second with the gear reduction starter I have on it so I haven't had that problem.
This conversion was totally practical, nothing was changed unless it had to be. One of the solenoids I tried was a 6v. No go. I've been through some crazy rabbit-trails trying to track down the prev. owner to ask him where the solenoid on it came from, but he's just vanished. Guess I just need to take the thing around with me, it'll be interesting to see what my local NAPA guys say. Interesting you mention them, the little town where this truck lived it's whole life only has one auto parts supplier, and it's a napa. Hadn't connected that before.
sounds like it might be an industrial solenoid. maybe from a forklift? do you have a previous post with more info? will gladly help, but need more details.
Here's where I started http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/71...cal-probs.html I went back and reread this a couple of times to make sure I didn't forget something important or whatever, so go ahead and point out any bonehead comments I might make, I can take it
Industrial, eh? Never heard that one mentioned, but I'd think that would be larger, this one is smaller than a standard solenoid- I think it's prob. a 6v, but that doesn't really explain why every one I try to replace it with does absolutely nothing.
give me a chance to browse through your info and i will get back to you soon. some of the industrial solenoids are smaller than stock ford with one post, and work very well on these older trucks.
Not to hijack your thread--but my 302 in my 71 f100 now will start sometimes,and when I move the auto column shifter it will start other times that way. In other words instead of bypassing the starter at solenoid--I have to wiggle shifter and maybe hit the correct spot and vroom it starts. Is it the ignition switch--or the shifter needs adjusted? let me know--and thanks
ok, looked through post, and here's my 2-cents. IF battery is good, check pos. and neg. battery cables. it's possible that they are burnt or corroded INSIDE protective covers. does alternator have built in regulator? it just seems to me that you have a backfeed somewhere, and i'm thinking that alternator and wiring from alternator are the culprit. i think the best thing to do in order to find the problem is to chase wires from alt. and solenoid to there source and draw a schematic of these wires. putting this on paper gives you the opportunity to compare picture to original wiring diagram to see where problem is. in doing this you will become familiar with truck and it's systems, giving you a better appreciation for your new love. look forward to solution, because i think you will find problem doing this. good luck, need help, just yell!
Granny, did you check for voltage at the small post? If you read 6v to ground, then your starter button needs to ground the starter contact. If it doesn't have voltage, you need to send power to the contact. Bob49F2 posted the stock wiring on the old thread. Now that you have bought a non-Ford solenoid, it may not be the same.
In fact it could be your starter button is no good, have you checked it?
ok, looked through post, and here's my 2-cents. IF battery is good, check pos. and neg. battery cables. it's possible that they are burnt or corroded INSIDE protective covers. does alternator have built in regulator? it just seems to me that you have a backfeed somewhere, and i'm thinking that alternator and wiring from alternator are the culprit. i think the best thing to do in order to find the problem is to chase wires from alt. and solenoid to there source and draw a schematic of these wires. putting this on paper gives you the opportunity to compare picture to original wiring diagram to see where problem is. in doing this you will become familiar with truck and it's systems, giving you a better appreciation for your new love. look forward to solution, because i think you will find problem doing this. good luck, need help, just yell!
Goooood Point but by passed too quickly!
What type of alternator: Motorcraft; Autolite; GM; Aftermarket one wire?
Thinking about an open set of diodes ----- Just thinking!?!
