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wiring issue starter

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Old Dec 28, 2007 | 08:39 PM
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wiring issue starter

I just changed out my 7.3 for one with alot less miles but when i hooked everything back up i had a red wire left over. It was connected to the starter at one time but i cannot remember where the other end went to.
It runs fine as long as i give it a shot of either then cranks everytime once warm.
So the big red cable from the battery is to the starter but the smaller red wire from the starter is were i havent been able to figure out. Kinda new to diesels but having fun learning. Thanks for any help on this if anyone has a picture of reference to look at would be great
 
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Old Dec 28, 2007 | 09:22 PM
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It sounds like it is an extra wire that might have been left on the engine you put in, and you used your own harness. There are only two wires on these starters, the big one, direct to the batteries and a small one that goes to a relay on the passenger side fender. If it cranks with the key, you have the starter wired correct.
On hard cold starts, sounds like the glow plug system may not be operating correctly. Does the gp light come on can you hear the clicking of the gp relay,
Its possible the wire is from the gp system. What diameter is the wire? Q-tip or pencle
You should do a search on this site for glow plugs, you will find 100s of post to help pin point your starting trouble. Hope this helps
 
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 12:38 AM
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i know it was connected to the starter before cause it had a burnt section that had been touching the exaust
but the gp is not clicking like it did before i did the motor swap so i am thinking it may be part of that system
where does the gp's get thier power from
does the power come from one side of the solenoid there on the passenger fender well
i heard that one side of the solenoid is used as a buss for other systems
thanks for the help
and its a pencile size wire
 
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 10:57 AM
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On the 7.3 engines it should come from the starter relay positive post.
The positive post would be the big terminal always hot and has several wires on it.
The other big terminal should only have one wire which goes down to the starter solenoid trigger terminal.

What year is the truck, there were a few wiring changes from year to year.

83 thru 87 for the 6.9
88 thru 94 for the 7.3

Either engine will bolt up to any of the trucks in that group of years.
 

Last edited by Dave Sponaugle; Dec 29, 2007 at 11:00 AM.
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 05:17 PM
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it is a 90 when i took the original motor out it was hooked up to the starter
as i was under the truck i unhooked it but had a friend up top helping and i dont know where the other end went to
so by your reply there will be the big red cable going to the starter straight from the battery and also there will be a red wire about pencil size going from the positive post on the starter solenoid to the starter
but that done make since to me as there will be 2 hot wires going to the same post on the starter but then again i am new to diesels
thanks for the help
 
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 05:50 PM
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There are two terminals on the starter.
One big one where the battery cable goes and another small one where the trigger wire goes.

When you turn the key, does the engine start cranking?
If it does, the wiring must be on right.
If it does not, the trigger wire may be the problem.

In the picture below, which is the only one I have where you can see both terminals.
The battery cable goes on the bottom terminal.
Right above that is the smaller terminal where the trigger wire would go.
The picture is a Nippondenso gear reduction starter that was used on the early 6.9 engine.



The only picture I have of the Mitsubishi starter does not show the terminals.
Delco I have no pictures of.
 
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 07:45 PM
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Here is a picture of my 91 starter relay. The two yellow wires on the right terminal go into the engine harness that goes to the glow plug controller on the back of the engine.

I did recently install a 1994 E 7.3 and that engine had a different set up. Instead of the two yellow wires from the relay to the gp controller it just had one long red wire that did not go into the harness, but that was on an E350

You never said where the other end of the wire went. Trace it back and let us know that may help us indentfy it.
 
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Old Dec 29, 2007 | 10:53 PM
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farmnfly
thanks for the pic
the red wire that looks to be hind the 2 yellow wires when looking at the picture
where does that wire go to
that is the one that i cannot figure out
i guess it goes from that terminal on the relay to the starter post but thats 2 positive wires going to the starter thanks alot for the help the truck cranks fine when i use either so i must have a gp prob but that is prob another issue so the wiring seems right but im sure that wire is suppose to be somewhere
 
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Old Dec 30, 2007 | 06:18 AM
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If you look close, you can just see it go back to the battery, under the protective boot. That wire powers the glow plug system.
I'm guessing the other end of your wire goes into a big wiring harness that goes back on top of the engine?
What year is the engine you installed?
 
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Old Dec 30, 2007 | 03:00 PM
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farmnfly

not the red wire from the batterty to the solenoid
but the red wire from the solenoid going towards the motor
is that one going to the starter
thanks
 
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Old Dec 30, 2007 | 03:29 PM
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Here is a better picture
 
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Old Jan 1, 2008 | 09:44 AM
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thanks for all the help

i stopped by the uhaul place and they had several 90 model f250 for sale
ask if i could look under the hood and finally saw were the wire goes
it goes from the starter to tyhe back post on the gp control module
guess maybe thats why i have had to use either to get it started
anyway ill let ya know if i still have a gp prob after i get it hooked up but thanks again for all the help\
 
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