Solenoid wiring

Guys - What's wrong with this picture?  I believe I have something not right here...Only getting a click from Mr. Solenoid.  My logic is not Vulcan!



The pink wire on top goes to the starter to close the circuit.
The purple wire next to it goes to the IGN switch.

On the lower lug;
Thickest cable to the battery + terminal.
One #10 red goes to the one-wire alternator.
Other #10 red to my headlight relays.
Thickest black cable to the starter.
Smaller black cable goes into the wiring harness. (?)



I feel like an idiot asking for your help but something's not right here.
Thanks so much!

The heavy black cable UNDER the starter is attached to one of the two bolts holding the starter to the block and the other end goes to the battery's negative terminal.  Forgot to mention.

Yup 300's ground the starter rather than the block like V-8's

Where is the heavy black starter cable (not the bottom ground wire) going to?
Battery +???  (because it should be)

Jim - The heavy black cable is going to the starter solenoid (by the engine).  

Under the battery cable somewhere?

I'm sorry i don't see it on my phone...

Have you tried jumping the starter solenoid pink wire from the black hot lead, on the starter?

If that works the pink wire is at fault.

Did it happen after you installed the headlight relays?

Or you didn't touch anything, was working and now doesn't?

Jeff,

<<you didn't touch anything, was working and now doesn't>>

That's the one.  I just think I've screwed up somewhere.  My auto electric guy is a luddite and trying to explain to him what I have connected to here and there is like listening to Abbott & Costello doing "who's on first".

Jim - I tried jumping from those terminals and only get one click that doesn't repeat.

OK, I was in the same situation...

I fumbled around and wasn't able to find any issue.  Finally fixed it by replacing the starter relay.

IowaTom wrote

Jim - I tried jumping from those terminals and only get one click that doesn't repeat.

Curious...  Normally, if you jump the two main terminals, you bypass the relay and send the current directly to the starter.

The "click" you hear comes from the relay, or from the starter?

If the solenoid on the starter clicks when you jump from the black (hot) cable, either the starter winding isn't getting power (usually a braided connection) or the starter itself is dead.

Jim, I know you prefer the "jump +/S" terminals method.


In my case, using a big screwdriver and jumping the two main terminals revealed that the relay was dead.
The starter turned immediately as it should.

If you use this hard way method, be aware that your screwdriver will do some sparks.
Be sure your truck is on Neutral or Park position!  If transmission is engaged, it will move ahead, this could be very dangerous.



Just verify that the starter turns.  Do not maintain the screwdriver-jumper too long.
If your starter turns:
A) The relay is faulty, or
B) The purple wire doesn't make it close (no current coming from the ignition switch when turned on).

You can verify if the purple wire sends current to the relay by simply using a light tester.  Unplug the purple wire, put the tester between it and its terminal, and turn your ignition key to on.  The light should come on if your purple wire operates correctly.

If your starter doesn't turn with the screwdriver jumping method, it doesn't mean the starter is dead...  Check all your connections, including the ground to the body and to the starter.
I had another issue later, very similar, and this time I had to replace the ground cable itself (big black one, from the battery to the body/starter).

Not at the fender relay, at the starter.

Of course out of gear and ignition off.

But that's the point I'm trying to make (and understand)

BigBrother-84 wrote

Curious...  Normally, if you jump the two main terminals, you bypass the relay and send the current directly to the starter.

 Use an end wrench.
It reaches over the insulating ridge of the relay and more easily carries the current.
But he wouldn't get a click from the fender relay if the park/neutral/clutch safety didn't complete the circuit...

BigBrother-84 wrote

The "click" you hear comes from the relay, or from the starter?

This is why I asked if the starter turns when the solenoid on the starter is jumped.
We eliminate the fender relay and the pink wire from the equation.

Tom seems to have everything wired correctly.

ArdWrknTrk wrote

But he wouldn't get a click from the fender relay if the park/neutral/clutch safety didn't complete the circuit...

OK, I see...  I don't have any of these "security switches" in Big Bro.  Manual, not clutch safety, nothing.

Maybe that's a Canadian thing?
Or some PO just jammed a spare fuse in the clutch safety interlock pigtail?
Because it's shown in the '85 EVTM.



Edit: . I forgot how Gary had the '85 manual posted...

Jim, I have the same diagram in 1984 EVTM.  Identical.

But it appears only for the EEC part, not for the Duraspark.

Is it possible that the Duraspark ignition wiring doesn't have the Clutch Lockout Switch?

If you look at the Duraspark page it says "from start pg. 31"
That is page 31...  🤷
Ford definitely had clutch lockout when they went to hydraulic clutch (1984 for your Windsor)

Did someone add a remote start to your truck, Jeff?
If so, that would explain why it's bypassed.

Nope, no remote.

And when I installed a NOS "Dealer Installed" speed control kit, it came with a brake and a clutch switches.

Installing these, I didn't see any sign of such disconnected circuit, no cut wire or empty connector there.

If you look at the diagram, C190 and C128 are there in any case.

It just depends on where Ford chose to put the jumper.
So I'm not really understanding why you think there would be a cut wire or empty connector.

I do know the factory clutch switch jumper (used with an automatic transmission) is a single plug with a loop of R/LB wire sticking out.

Great stuff, Guys.  I really appreciate everyone's ideas.

My neighbor is a mechanic by trade and sold me the truck a few years ago.  He came over, looked at the wiring and heard the story - that it ran started fine before many, many times.  He climbed under it, gave it a few friendly taps with my Tonya Harding (hammer) and it sprang to life.

Love those offshore starters.  Mine was good for a year.