Starter relay problems,(hillbilly wiring)

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Dec 31, 2011 | 06:07 PM

jamesadams

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From: near Pocahontas Ar,From D

Starter relay problems,(hillbilly wiring)

Disconnected all of the stock wiring on the 52.I put a 60s era starter relay on it with a push button to start it just to move it around. When i was doing this with the original 6-volt relay with a hot wire from battery positive to coil,started fine.With later relay and hot wire from ignition post to coil,it will start then die.Run a jumper wire from battery to coil and runs fine. Any ideas as to what i am doing wrong?

Dec 31, 2011 | 07:27 PM

jim collins

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From: South west Idaho

You need to do a search for starter and ignition diagrams that will show you how they go. Or maybe somebody will take time to put some up here for you. This forum is full of them ,try a search.

Dec 31, 2011 | 07:51 PM

jamesadams

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From: near Pocahontas Ar,From D

Thanks. Thought i could figure it out on my own.got to be simple, sure i am overlooking something.

Jan 1, 2012 | 04:52 AM

jamesadams

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From: near Pocahontas Ar,From D

If i got this clear in my head,the 12-volt system gets its 6-volt run fire from another source.For some reason i was thinking that on a Ford the relay swapped from 12-volt start to 6-volt run at the same post.

Jan 1, 2012 | 07:53 AM

BlueOvalRage

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From: Oxford, Indiana

As you've found out, no it does not swap voltages at the "I" post on the starter relay. That post on the relay is energized only when the relay is closed during cranking. It's dead at all other times. On the later vehicles that would have used the relay you have, power was supplied to the coil directly from the ignition switch through a resistor wire under the dash. This arrangement supplies the coil with a reduced voltage for all running conditions except starting. Another wire runs from the "I" terminal of the relay and ties into the reduced voltage coil feed under the hood. The purpose of that branch of the coil feed circuit is to supply a full 12 volts to the coil for a hotter spark only while the engine is cranking. If your only power feed for the coil is from the "I" terminal on the relay, then it will fire and start when you crank it over, but die as soon as you quit cranking.

Jan 1, 2012 | 10:29 AM

brain75

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From: Sterling CO

do a search for Julies Cool F1 - that user is no longer with us, but he (it's a he, not a she) left us some great wiring drawings. You'll find a good side by side 6v versus 12v ignition diagram.

Jan 1, 2012 | 12:21 PM

jamesadams

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From: near Pocahontas Ar,From D

Thanks,that is what i had come to.Being that i am only trying to do a very basic start/run and later charge system,whats is an easy way to get voltage stepped down to the coil?