Starter Issue 1993 XLT SC 4.0 Auto

[Angry Possum]

@Curious Hound I put in the new AC Delco starter today and the same thing,,, doesn't start. Just clicking at the relay on the inner fender. I tried tapping the starter while my friend attempted to start it, nothing.

I'm not sure if this matters, but the pigtail wire that comes with the starter attached to the solenoid, I didn't use. I just ran the wire directly to the solenoid like I did with my previous starter.

Question- Could this be the issue, I'm stumped. May be a bad starter right out of the box from Rock Auto? What do I check now? Should I replace the relay?

 

[Curious Hound]

The starter should have a larger wire coming directly from the battery to a big screw on the starter.

Then there should be a wire from the starter relay to the solenoid on the side of the starter.

 

[Angry Possum]

The starter should have a larger wire coming directly from the battery to a big screw on the starter.

Then there should be a wire from the starter relay to the solenoid on the side of the starter.

Yep that's how i hooked it up. It's just not kicking over. I just ordered a motorcraft solenoid for the inner firewall. Don't know what to do now as I'm running out of options. You do hear a clicking sound on the solenoid on the firewall when attempting to start it. Don't know where to go from here. Maybe just get it towed to a mechanic, I'm at that point now.

 

[Angry Possum]

This was very informative. Great video on the starter solenoid process.

 

[Curious Hound]

Yep that's how i hooked it up

That's not how it sounded when you said this

I'm not sure if this matters, but the pigtail wire that comes with the starter attached to the solenoid, I didn't use.

If you didn't use that pigtail, you didn't connect it properly.

 

[Angry Possum]

That's not how it sounded when you said this

If you didn't use that pigtail, you didn't connect it properly.

Yes, It's very possible. I'll take the starter off tomorrow and check it.

 

[Angry Possum]

Just adding to my thread. I found that the solenoid located on the inner fender has 12.3 volts on both sides without the key in the ignition. In further research online this could be a part of the issue. I'm going to replace it today with a Motorcraft SW1951C.

 

[Angry Possum]

That's not how it sounded when you said this

If you didn't use that pigtail, you didn't connect it properly.

As far as the pigtail goes, I didn't use it on my previous starter and I had no issues till 9 months or so later, that's why I won't be using it again on the new starter. I recently found an issue with the starter solenoid in above post, I'm going to replace that today once it gets delivered..

 

[Angry Possum]

@Curious Hound Is this wiring correct on the old starter solenoid. I put the new one on with the same wiring and I'm getting the same issue, 12.5 volts on each side of the big solenoid posts with the key off.

 

[Curious Hound]

@Curious Hound Is this wiring correct on the old starter solenoid. I put the new one on with the same wiring and I'm getting the same issue, 12.5 volts on each side of the big solenoid posts with the key off.

View attachment 141625

That's roughly how my starter relay looks. I have a few extra circuits connected on the battery side of mine. So, that lower large terminal should be the only one to have battery voltage until you turn the ignition switch to the start position.

How do you have the wires at the starter motor and solenoid connected?

 

[Angry Possum]

That's roughly how my starter relay looks. I have a few extra circuits connected on the battery side of mine. So, that lower large terminal should be the only one to have battery voltage until you turn the ignition switch to the start position.

How do you have the wires at the starter motor and solenoid connected?
View attachment 141626

Phew...I thought I rewired it wrong. I'm getting voltage on both sides of that solenoid with key off. So yes I'm thinking that there could possibly be a wiring issue to the starter itself, my friend wired it up, and he's a decent mechanic, beyond intermediate. I just put in a brand new motorcraft solenoid. Now I'm also thinking the wiring to the starter is wrong or something's shorting or grounding out etc.

 

[Curious Hound]

Phew...I thought I rewired it wrong. I'm getting voltage on both sides of that solenoid with key off. So yes I'm thinking that there could possibly be a wiring issue to the starter itself, my friend wired it up, and he's a decent mechanic, beyond intermediate. I just put in a brand new motorcraft solenoid. I'm thinking the wiring to the starter is wrong or something's shorting or grounding out etc.

Let's check that out. And a mistake doesn't mean your friend is not a great mechanic. There are a lot of guys out there who are excellent mechanics but "electricity ain't their gig."

 

[Angry Possum]

@Curious Hound This is the new starter solenoid wiring, does this look correct? Why I'm getting 12.5 volts on both sides is a mystery.

 

[Angry Possum]

Can the new solenoid be defective too, and or what would cause 12.5 volts on both sides of the new solenoid. If it was wired wrong on the starter itself would this be the reason why I'm getting readings on both sides of the starter solenoid? Is it possible. I'm losing my mind now. LOL

 

[Angry Possum]

@Curious Hound Well well, I think I found the problem. Last year I had a bad positive cable wire from the battery to the starter, so I purchased a black cable instead, as they were out of red cables... A big mistake on my behalf, especially as I didn't have red tape when I did this repair, mere stupidity. Duh....

So I just went under the truck to check the wiring and it appears I have the positive wire to the ground and the ground wire to the positive side on the starter itself. I noticed the little red wire is correct but the other thicker wire (positive wire) is connected to the ground.

Generally two wires stem off the positive wire from the battery. A thick one and a thinner one. So I'm almost 100% sure that this is the issue. And especially the power drain I spoke of previous.

I really appreciate all the input and guidance everyone, I'll advise when I make the correction. Wish me luck.