solenoid polarity

[SKEETR]

115 omc 1994 same as john/evin.
I'm looking in my oem manual at the starter solenoid. It is a 2d wiring schematic. At the starter solenoid am I looking at it from the rivited capped end nearest the terminals or...the other end? What did I do to my motor if I had it hooked up backwards? It seems to be mountable in one direction, capped end to carbs terminals out. I had the starter lead on the bottom, black, red/yellow, power, rotating upwards. Hep....
I was looking closely at the solenoid and at the small terminals one has a 'S' and the other printed w/ an 'I' . switch/ignition???

 

[Randybeall]

Re: solenoid polarity

The solenoid is a simple electrical switch designed for high current. You may put the battery and starter cable on either side of the solenoid with no damage. The small lead is power the coil of the solenoid and closes the switch. Many applications have the charging wire and other power take off wires attached to the battery cable side of the solenoid. The second small terminal is the safety switch to keep from activating the starter when not in neutral. On most brands of solenoid looking at the solenoid with the cover plate up and the small terminals in front of you. The left terminal is starter,left small termingal is safety switch, right small is start signal, and right large terminal is battery. On some applications the left small safety terminal is grounded, just to add to the confusion. You will do no damage by hooking it up wrong, just won't start if the start terminal does not get power from the key switch.

 

[SKEETR]

Re: solenoid polarity

Thanks for clearing that up. Looks like I had it installed right after all.