Battery Drain
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Battery Drain
The (-) batter cable should run directly to a MOUNTING bolt of the starter (one that mounts it to the bellhousing and ultimately grounds the block). The OE cable also had a clip soldered in the middle that was screwed to the frame rail beside the R shock tower, but if you don't want to solder one in, just get a second eye-to-eye cable & run it back from the starter mounting bolt to the frame. Many battery cables also have a small wire, which you can connect to the core support to ground the body.
sparky
That's just the way I am, plus my gf says I'm "in a mood" this evening. If I was rude/condescending/confusing - sorry. It'll pass. 
sparky
"gobble-de-gook" making a simple question an engineers answer
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire USA
Battery Drain
Is the solenoid mounted correctly and the cables on the correct side ?
The solenoid is mounted exactly as before.
There is the battery side aimed at the headlight. The starter side aimed at the firewall. The "I" on the side at 45 degrees aimed at the distributor, and the "s" aimed 45 degrees at the air clearner.
Batter lead is on battery side along with hot wire for brake module. Ignition wire is on "I" or small side terminal. Nothing on the larger side terminal or "S" and the starter on the starter side.
This is correct I hope, otherwise I am totally confused.
Steve83
All my cars were Chevy's and I remember those kind of ground wire cables from the Battery. I have owned one other Ford Truck and it was an 89 EFI that I never had to work on, so I assumed, incorrectly, of course that this was the way it was. I will get the - Batt cable hooked to the starter mounting bolt tomorrow the additional back to the Engine block will have to wait until I get back to town 45 miles one way. Stupid question the "core" to ground body. Where/what is this "Core"
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,157
Likes: 1
From: Central Kali
Battery Drain
The S terminal needs a wire on it. When you start the engine, +12 from the ignition switch goes to the S terminal. This operates the coil inside the solinoid (relay to some folks), connecting the large bat terminal to the starter terminal.
If you jump the S to the bat terminal, the starter should crank. If it doesn't, the battery is weak, or the solinoid is bad, or the starter is bad, or the cables(s) are bad.
Connecting the bat neg to the block is fine. I have a Mustang with a trunk mounted battery. The neg cable is connected to the body at the rear. Has worked fine for 30 years.
A larger engine like a 390 needs a higher cranking amps battery then a 302.
Check for a current drain by using a test light between the neg bat post and the neg cable. Small current may require a multimeter.
If you jump the S to the bat terminal, the starter should crank. If it doesn't, the battery is weak, or the solinoid is bad, or the starter is bad, or the cables(s) are bad.
Connecting the bat neg to the block is fine. I have a Mustang with a trunk mounted battery. The neg cable is connected to the body at the rear. Has worked fine for 30 years.
A larger engine like a 390 needs a higher cranking amps battery then a 302.
Check for a current drain by using a test light between the neg bat post and the neg cable. Small current may require a multimeter.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire USA
Battery Drain
A wire with a 90* connector goes to the S terminal.
There were two types of relays offered for some reason and there was a difference when I explained my wiring the parts guy gave me this one something about internal connection between I and S but not sure i will call him tomorrow and get all the info again.
The S terminal needs a wire on it. When you start the engine, +12 from the ignition switch goes to the S terminal. This operates the coil inside the solinoid (relay to some folks), connecting the large bat terminal to the starter terminal.
There are four terminals on my relay.
Gentlemen I trust and value all your help but must be tired and confused so I am going to get some rest, then change the ground wire and give it a go, call my parts guy so I can give you better feed back on the relay and maybe track down the missing wire. It has to come from somewhere right?
Perused my manuals and although I remember reading this whole section on relays and testing and terminals couldn't find anything more than unhook wires and remove bolts, install bolts and hook wires. Somedays I am to tired for all of this.
Thanks a bunch. Good Evening. Until tomorrow ....
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire USA
Battery Drain
I was about to see if I could drawl a diagram but this is much better! Although you might want to turn off the flash, little glare there. Seriously, we are together on this and the same. Batt goes to the one aimed right at it, then you have a blank, then the ignition, and then at starter on the off side of the battery, yes?
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire USA
Battery Drain
Okay I have the orange wire the ignition wire, but I do not have, have never had, didn't come with one...Red wire..were does it go... where does it come from...what does it do. Started my truck many times without one.
I am going outside treking to my unheated garage in -20 degree weather in my t-Shirt because I know I don't have one of those but I gotta see the labels ion the relay be right back
I am going outside treking to my unheated garage in -20 degree weather in my t-Shirt because I know I don't have one of those but I gotta see the labels ion the relay be right back
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Likes: 24
Battery Drain
As per the other reply before this one.
That Red Wire with the 90* connector goes to the S Terminal
That Red Wire with the 90* connector goes to the S Terminal
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New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Likes: 24
Battery Drain
I am going outside treking to my unheated garage in -20 degree weather in my t-Shirt because I know I don't have one of those but I gotta see the labels ion the relay be right back
Coool!
That's Okay,
I went out to the truck on the side of the street in -10* C with t-shirt and sweat pants to get the photo.
Scanned copy of schematic coming next!
Coool!
That's Okay,
I went out to the truck on the side of the street in -10* C with t-shirt and sweat pants to get the photo.
Scanned copy of schematic coming next!
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire USA
Battery Drain
Just so you get a chuckle it is cold out there and the slip on the ice into the snow was exilerating and great punishment for being stupid and stubborn.
Had the labels backward in my head. And yes you were right. I have a red wire it is on the S I don't have a wire on the I right beside it everything else is there and accounted for. So what is the I for. Man I really feel ignorant and tired, must have stared at that thing all morning and still turned it around in my head.
Sorry
Had the labels backward in my head. And yes you were right. I have a red wire it is on the S I don't have a wire on the I right beside it everything else is there and accounted for. So what is the I for. Man I really feel ignorant and tired, must have stared at that thing all morning and still turned it around in my head.
Sorry
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 119
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From: New Hampshire USA
Battery Drain
Is that right that is what the other post "I" is for? Well happy days! On the positive side of things (no pun) I'm all set for tomorrow and got quite a few people involved in the discussion, many who must be thinking Mil1lion has patience and Biscuit is an idiot. But hey it was an honest mistake you know "I" ignition
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 7,157
Likes: 1
From: Central Kali
Battery Drain
The I terminal puts 12 volts on the coil to bypass the ballast resistor while cranking. This is to provide better starting.
If it was -10, I would be under an electric blanket until it was 50. But I can function at 110.
If it was -10, I would be under an electric blanket until it was 50. But I can function at 110.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire USA
Battery Drain
Okay optional right I hope because I'm not goingout there again. Why wouldn't I have one. And if I did were would the other end go...come from....do I really need to know or should I really care?
I will check in tomorrow but I gotta get some sleep getting late here on the East Coast...kids are up with the sun
I will check in tomorrow but I gotta get some sleep getting late here on the East Coast...kids are up with the sun