Got back from 'Vette Fest tonight, it was awesome. I bought a high torque mini starter there, guy said to wire it the same as my stock one.  I brought it home and hooked it up, when I reconnected the battery it started cranking right away. I though maybe the solenoid was wired different since it was aftermarket, I switched the 2 small wires. Tried it again, this time it cranked as soon as the key hit the "run" position. Waht's going on? I'm guessing maybe a bad solenoid?

Thanks,

Matt 

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The larger of the two smaller wires, normally purple, goes to the engine side of the starter solenoid. This is the "engage" from the ign. switch. The other, smaller wire, is the 12v feed to the ign. coil.
Make sure you don't have the main feed to the fusebox connected to either of the smaller terminals on the solenoid, as this would cause the starter to engage when the batt. is connected. The main feed wire would be red in color, and have a larger "eyelet" terminal on it, than the other two wires. The batt. cable should be self explanitory!(I think)

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

That's the way I wired it the first time. I think there must be an internal short in the solenoid.

Thanks,

Matt

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hey guys.

does anyone know if this starter problem was resolved?  i ran across this same problem with a '75 vette the other day.  we turned the key and the starter just kept cranking until we unhooked the battery.  could this be bad wiring at the main junction box?  it was working fine for awhile but then it pulled this stunt.  oh yeah, the starter is new and the wiring seems correct.

any ideas?

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Probably a bad solenoid.

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Got it resolved, wires touching. When the starter worker properly though it made a grinding sound. Tried shimming with no luck. I bought it at VetteFest, the guy guaranteed it or my money back. Sent it back 2 seeks ago, still waiting for my money, think I got ripped off. If he doesn't return the money I'll post his name here so you guys don't get ripped off too.

Matt  

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thanks for the help guys.  i'll check the wires.  however, it might be the least of the problems.  we had this '75 we're working on out in the driveway running well (yes the starter worked this time) and then the car just slowly sputtered out.  the next thing you know, the alternator ground wire was melted off and so was part of the battery!

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That's a severe short.  The fusiable links should have blown.  Make sure there are fusiable links there, and not just straight wires.  Look for the battery cables to be rubbed through at any point as well.

Mini starters are the greatest thing to come along in some time.  Light weight and high power.  If you can get it to bolt up properly and the teeth mesh right, then the electrical hook up is the easy part.  You need to use your wiring diagram though. You cant just hook up wires arbitrarily and think it should work. Know where they go!

Mike