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Starter Solenoid ?????'s

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Old Oct 17, 2003 | 07:48 PM
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Starter Solenoid ?????'s

I'm having problems with my starter solenoid for my '64 f-100. What is the correct way to attach which wires where? If anyone has any diagrams or pics or something to help me out that would be great!! thanks, Sean
 
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Old Oct 17, 2003 | 08:48 PM
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You should look at the face of it with the 2 small terminals facing you. THe left side big stud is positive battery cable from battery. The right side big stud is starter cable from starter to solonoid. The 2 small ones are for the 2 remaining wires. THe plug on. If you get them backards, you won't get anything when you turn the key. Just reverse them and it should start. Anything that needs power all the time goes on the side of the positive battery lug. You should get yourself some shop manuals for your year truck. They're a great investment.

Barry
 
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Old Oct 18, 2003 | 02:54 AM
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Just a note,Ford uses a starter relay, because it does not operate any mech device like brand c starter. A solenoid moves something, a relay connects something.
 
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Old Oct 18, 2003 | 07:00 PM
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Good point Putt.
 
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Old Oct 18, 2003 | 08:33 PM
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A 460 CID engine uses a starter like a Brand X with the starter mounted solenoid. Putt is correct on what he's saying , but if you go to a Ford dealer and ask for a starter relay, The parts guy would say there's no such thing on a Ford. In my 20 years as a Parts manager, I never heard anyone in the dealership call it a relay. It was always called a starter solenoid, right or wrong. If you want to get technical, Ford calls it a " Switch- Starter Motor relay-Solenoid" I hope I'm not opening a can of worms with this.............

Barry
 
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Old Oct 18, 2003 | 09:51 PM
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I was told that the starter and the alternator should go on the right side and the positive and the fusebox on the left (grill side).......Is that true? Also, if I hook it up wrong and try to start it will it fry the starter solenoid?
Thanks
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 01:15 AM
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No, then the Alt. would try to power the starter the whole time it is running.
Left side big post = Bat. + wire, wire from alt. large post, all fusable links.

Right side big post = Wire to starter only!!

Small terminal marked S = Small red wire from ignition switch.

Small terminal marked I = light brown wire, 12v to coil for starting only.

This supplies 12v to the coil by bypassing the resister wire for easier starting.

Well, the solenoid does move current to the starter and coil so on a technicallity, it could be called a solenoid, but yeah, a relay is what this type of device is normally called.
Jimmy
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 01:56 PM
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man ill tell you,its one thing after another with this truck...but here we go again.i hooked it all up right like everyone said..and now when i attempt to start it it acts like its stuck..i get a sound outta the "relay" and it spit out a poof of smoke.and it seemed to come from the positive wires.i switched "relays" thinking that was the problem but its still the same..so im stuck again.would this be the starter???thats my next guess.


thanks Sean
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 06:02 PM
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Is it just clicking like crazy when you turn the key or does the starter turn and keep turning? if it's just clicking like crazy, I'd say a bad ground or shorted out starter. If the starter keep spinning, I'd say bad ign switch. Give some more details on what it's doing.

Barry
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 06:41 PM
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its running now!! sweet! i figured out my battery wasnt giving enough charge and i had a bad ground on the block..thanks for all the help.i bought some 40 series flowmasters and i got to hear em for the first time and its sounded excellent .

thanks again for all the help Sean...
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 07:21 PM
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Glad we could help.
Jimmy
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 10:07 PM
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ok,im back.now im dealing with alternator problems.thru this whole solenoid problem ive been having problems with the alt.ive been thru 3 in the last month,i was thinking maybe the wiring was shorting it out but now its 2 days old and the alt lights on and the battery is flat....i need help with the wiring on the alt.this is all new to me so its like nextb time when someone comes threw and needs help with there alt or something i can be of some help,lol..anyway please help me,i think its all right,what else would cause the alt to crap on me so mant times??


thanks Sean
 
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Old Oct 20, 2003 | 07:53 AM
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Sean, Do you have a Ford alternator with Ford voltage regulator? You may want to consider an easy solution to dead batteries and rotten wiring and use an 85 amp Delco one wire alternator. Read the technical article on this subject here on FTE.
 
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Old Oct 20, 2003 | 11:11 AM
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I'd love to get a one wire alternator, but unfortunately my funds as a college student won't allow me to. Will there be any easier way to fix my problem for now? Possibly telling me how you rigged up your alternator? Thank you, Sean
 
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Old Oct 20, 2003 | 12:36 PM
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Sean, Take your alternator in for testing and the battery as well. If possible test the voltage regulator or replace it. The main components of the system you are dealing with are; 1) Battery, must be grounded, have fluid, tight terminal lugs, good cables and accept a charge; 2) alternator must be regulated and connected properly, snug drive belt and have a good fuseable link; 3) regulator, must be grounded through the mount screws and serviceable (not adjustable) and lastly the 40 year old wiring. After you have tested the alternator, battery and regulator, check the fuseable link (fat wire usually blue with a square tab). Post back! Before you spend more than 100bucks on any repairs, consider a Delco 85 amp 1 wire.
 
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