Starter solenoid help

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Aug 8, 2004 | 08:23 AM

f1501988

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 37

Likes: 0

Starter solenoid help

I have an 88 F 150 302 EFI automatic transmission. I have gone through four solenoids in the last year. They eventually start clicking and than get hot. I have checked all the wiring diagrams and I am stuck. I have a Brown 18g fusible link wire along with a 20 g blue that are together in the same connecter. I can't find these two wires in a diagram. My info says red and light blue, which I do not have. I have two black 16 gauge wires fusible linked into the same connector. My wiring diagram doesn’t show these or what side of the starter relay they attach to. I have a green fusible link 14-gauge wire that is connected to the entire alternator wires in the large plug. My wiring diagram shows that this should connect directly to the + side of the battery. I am trying to make sure that I have all the wires connected to the correct side of the starter relay. I have an IAR alternator. This problem began as it always does the starter relay clicked I replaced it and now the gauge says the alternator is putting out only 11 volts so the battery light came on. Any guidance would be appreciated.

Last edited by f1501988; Aug 8, 2004 at 08:26 AM.

Aug 8, 2004 | 08:47 AM

HomerWinzlow

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 3,595

Likes: 52

From: Lawton, Oklahoma

Basically there is only one wire to one post, that being the starter power lead, all others go to the other post, including the battery positive cable. I recommend only using the correct Motorcraft relay, as many people report problems with aftermarket relays. If you are burning up a lot of relays you may have a bad starter, or badly corroded battery cables causing high resistance. The corrosion could be inside the sheathing where it isnt visible and new cables would be in order if they have a large voltage drop.

Aug 8, 2004 | 09:11 AM

f1501988

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 37

Likes: 0

solenoid help

Thanks for your quick reply. I am asking a follow up to make sure I am clear on what you are telling me. I will get a motorcraft relay on Monday. I have a red 90 degree push on connecter is this what you are calling the starter power lead? This connects to the small threaded pole. I also have a large batterry cable size ground that goes to the sarter to one side of the relay. Do all other wires the fusible links go to the other side of the relay with the posotive battery cable? Thanks again for your time and patience.

Aug 8, 2004 | 09:22 AM

HomerWinzlow

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 3,595

Likes: 52

From: Lawton, Oklahoma

All the fusable links go to the battery side, yes. The small push on goes to the ignition switch post, threaded, yes. The other wire should be a cable going to the starter, but should be power, not ground. The relay is nothing but a switch for the battery positive cable to the starter. When you turn the ignition switch it sends power to the small lead which kicks the relay and completes the circuit to the starter and opens the circuit when you release the key after starting. If your fusible links were on the starter side of the relay they would only get power during the start and lose power when you release the key. So they must be installed on the hot at all times side of the relay.

BTW, Ford has updated many of the 80s model starters to the later generation which have an actual starter solenoid, which require some wiring modifications.

Aug 8, 2004 | 09:57 AM

f1501988

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 37

Likes: 0

I also have a large battery cable size ground (black) that goes to the starter to one side of the relay. I checked this cable and it is black and goes to the outside of the starter and is attached with a large screw through the connecter onto a tab. I have this cable on the opposite side of the relay from the positive battery cable and the fusible links. If I understand what you are saying is that shouldn't be connected to the relay at all.

Aug 8, 2004 | 10:07 AM

HomerWinzlow

Logistics Pro

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 3,595

Likes: 52

From: Lawton, Oklahoma

No, the cable has appearantly been replaced at one time, as it should be red. It is properly attached with the screw at the starter power tab and to one of the relay posts. Ground comes from the starter body itself bolted to the block. Starter ground also often is from the battery negative cable grounded both at the block or frame and an extension to one of the starter mounting bolts.

Aug 8, 2004 | 10:13 AM

f1501988

Thread Starter

Freshman User

Joined: Jul 2003

Posts: 37

Likes: 0

starter soenoid help

Thanks so much for your time an patience. So the black cable is a posotive cable and should be red. It goes on one side of the relay and the posotive from the battery and all fusible links goe on the other side of the relay. If this is the case than I had the wires correct. I hope the motocraft relay will solve the problem. Thanks again