I have a 1955 ford f100 with a 292 engine. The other day I tried to start my truck. The engine fired but the starter did not disengage. I had to takeoff the battery cables to shut the engine off. So I thought it the key switch that was bad and replaced it. I took the wires off and put them on the new switch. When I went back to put the cables back on the battery the terminals arched. I made sure I had the correct cables going to the battery. The terminals arched on both terminals. I checked the connections at the starter, and the firewall solenoid. All connections where good. I removed the small post ignition and the battery arched. I removed the start wire and the battery arched. Am I safe to assume that the starter solenoid is stuck or bad? Is there a way to test the solenoid? Sorry this post is so long. I wanted to give as much information as possible.

Thanks

Jerryst

 

With the hot cable off the battery, disconnect the cable from the solenoid to the starter. Then connect the hot cable at the battery. Check the starter cable connection on the solenoid; if it shows battery voltage, it's stuck in the energized position.

 

Try removing the cable from your solenoid that goes to the starter. Hook up your battery and test for power at the terminal that you removed the cable from. If you have power out to the starter, try pulling the wire off the start (small) terminal and test again.

 

Ross beat me to it!

 

Great minds and all that...
Should mention, the quality of solenoids (Hecho en Chine) absolutely sucks. I'd go to the boneyard and get one off a Ford from the 70's-80's. Are you 12v or 6v?

 

My truck is rewired for 12 volt. Kind of caught me off guard when it did all this. I didn't change anything and boom. But I guess anything can happen. So take off cable from solenoid to starter and see if have power on the post where the starter wire should go.
thanks
jerryst

 

I took the cable from the solenoid to the starter. Then I hooked up the positive cable to the battery. I have power on the solenoid stud going to the starter side.so I assume that the solenoid is stuck. Well off to the parts store.

thanks
jerryst

 

Jerry, he's not kidding about modern solenoids. Maybe that's what you had in there, they are worthless. Parts store won't have what you need, unless it's very old, old stock. Thankfully a 12 volt Ford solenoid is one of the most standard auto parts ever made. Look for NOS from the 50s thru 70s, or even standard replacement aftermarket from that time. Heavy and substantial. Replace cables while you're at it, grind grounding points down to bright shiny metal, etc.

 

Saw the last reply before I bought a starter relay from parts house. I went with the heavy duty solenoid. I just put it in my truck and fired right up. Thanks for all the help in solving my issues with my truck.


Thanks
Jerry