4.3 starter question

[kaw550]

Can someone tell me how many posts are on the starter solenoid for '98 4.3 (carb)?
Is it 3 or 4?

I have four One for power from the battery. One for the ignition switch. one to the starter. one to the fuel pump.

I am question if there should be three. With the fuel pump connected to the same post as the ignition switch wire.

I am only getting 10.5v to the fuel pump post when I bench test. I expected close to 12. It is a new starter.
I replaced it becasue the old starter would ony give me 10V when in the boat.


This has been an ongoing issue. I cannot get 12v to the fuel pump to start it while cranking the engine.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3 starter question

You need all 4 for the fuel pump to work. Here is the wiring diagram showing the details.

 

[kaw550]

Re: 4.3 starter question

Thanks.
Thats how I have it wired.

Starter sitting next to the engine. Battery positive cable connected to the top post. Negative cable connected to the bolting surface of the starter. Jumper wire from the fuel pump post to the purple yellow wire. Jumper wire from the starting signal post to the 12 volt cable to signal the starter to spin.
The fuel pump does not start (10.5v)

12v connected directly to the fuel pump post and it starts.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3 starter question

Probably a bad starter solenoid.

 

[kaw550]

Re: 4.3 starter question

I put a new one on the starter a few weeks ago. Same issue

This is a brand new starter. I just took it out of the box.

 

[Capt Ken]

Re: 4.3 starter question

Are you activating the starter? The ignition post doesn't get power unless the starter is turning over.

 

[kaw550]

Re: 4.3 starter question

Yes. I jumped it with 12 v

 

[kaw550]

Re: 4.3 starter question

I have been working n this for months. The starter was the first attempt to throw money at it.

Any chance I can get the fuel pump (Marine Version) at a NAPA?
T

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3 starter question

If the fuel pump runs when you jump it, and the engine starts, why would you want to replace it?

What termnal are you jumping to to make the engine start? The yellow/red wire or the purple/yellow wire?

The yellow/red wire is for cranking the starter over, when that happens, power is put to the purple/yellow wire through the solenoid.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3 starter question

This is from your old post, and was never answered. Really need the voltages for terminal A, B, and D. no need for C


Before you start throwing parts at it, get your volt meter, with the black lead on ground, put the red lead on the D terminal in the picture below. Then crank the engine and see what you get Do the same thing on terminals A and C. They should all be close to the same thing. are they?

 

[kaw550]

Re: 4.3 starter question

To make it crank, I am applying power to the yellow/red wire or B in your picture
I assume that post D will always have less that battery voltage when cranking. It looks like the most it will be is 10V. I know it is a 12V fuel pump but it must be able to operate at less than 12V or it would never start when cranking right?

I am guessing mine might not be able to start at less than 12V. That and I am completely frustrated.

Don,
With the original solenoid
A 12.47 (Not cranking)
B 8V while cranking
D 8V while cranking

With the new solenoid
A 12.47
B 9V
D 9V
I am going to install the new starter and get those numbers now.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3 starter question

Check the A terminal while cranking. It should not drop below 9.5V ever. Usually around 10V while cranking.
Could be a battery going bad, or loose corroded cables.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3 starter question

Maybe I read your last post wrong. If you don't jump the starter, will the engine crank over when you turn the key to start?

 

[kaw550]

Re: 4.3 starter question

Yes, engine cranks fine.
When I said I jumped the starter it was not installed in the engine. I had it next to and jumped the wired. I was looking to get 12 v with no load.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3 starter question

Do the voltage checks on the three terminals I mentioned with the starter on the engine and while cranking the engine with the key switch without any jumper wires. Post the results.

 

[kaw550]

Re: 4.3 starter question

A 12.29 not cranking. 8.9 while cranking
B 8.5 Ignition post
D 8.9 Fuel pump post

All numbers were a lower with the new starter.
Although the last time I tried I had just taken the battery off the tender so it was a little higher.

I did have the ignition coil disconnected to prevent the engine from firing. I reconnected it and fired up the engine. After that the fuel pump would run for about 10 seconds when I release the key. I believe it was because it built up oil pressure and the voltage was passing through the secondary circuit.

 

[kaw550]

Re: 4.3 starter question

I did find the negative cable was little warm. I probably tried cranking 10 to 15 times.
All the wire terminals look good and have been cleaned at least three different times

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3 starter question

A 12.29 not cranking. 8.9 while cranking

There is your problem, the voltage is too low.

Get the battery load tested.
Check the battery cables. They have to be clean and tight (not wingnut tight, wrench tight) and clean. The cables and the cable ends also have to be tight and not corroded.
There are also a positive and a negative cable, and each has two ends.
Cables with swelled up sections in the cable are also junk.

 

[kaw550]

Re: 4.3 starter question

I know the 8.9 is too low but is the 12.29? I did check again and it was 12.47 after it sat a few minutes.
I had the battery tested at two places on Saturday.
I took a second battery connected it directly to the A post on the starter and the block. Then tested by using the ignition switch. Still not enough power to start the fuel pump.

 

[kaw550]

Re: 4.3 starter question

I just went back out. Cleaned the battery cables including the post on the battery. I also checked the cables. They are original but look good.