Starter question

[1Moredrift]

Hi Guys,

THis weekend when I tried to start my 350 MPI Horizon (2001) for the first time of the season, i got nothing except 5 or 6 quick soft beeps then nothing. After pulling everything apart and checking the connections I was able to get it started. However, I think I may have gotten some of the wiring mixed up.

My starter has 2 studs on the solenoid, one for the 90 amp fuse that connects to the wiring harness, and another for the positive battery wire. I think that I connected bothe the fuse and the battery wire to the stud that the fuse is supposed to go on. If this is the case, did I accidently bypass the solenoid? If it started like this, but wouldn't start with the proper wiring, would this indicated a bad solenoid? What kind of damage could this have done? It seems like my wiring harness would still be protected by the fuse, but would this set up damage the starter?

Sorry for the long confusing post, and thanks for any help that you can provide.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter question

See if this picture will help.
Basically if you didn't put the 90A fuse in the circuit at all it wouldn't hurt anything
The only thing I really hate about the the alternator being hooked directly to the 90A fuse and not to the starter solenoid stud, is if the 90 blows while the engine is running. It will immediatly destroy the diods in the alternator.
But the picture is how it's done per the manual.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Starter question

Since When,...??
And Why,..??
Did Merc start putting a Fuse in There,..??.....

Is this Supposed to be another "Safety" feature,..??.....

Or is it something for the Electronic motors,..??....

 

[1Moredrift]

Re: Starter question

Don S,

Thanks for the diagram. So does it matter which stud of the solenoid the fuse and battery cable are connected to? Also, what is the yel/red wire for? I don't think I have that?

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Starter question

Wire it as shown.....
You have a yellow/red or its equivalent.....
That's the wire that engages the solenoid when you turn the key to 'start'...........​

 

[1Moredrift]

Re: Starter question

Thanks to everyone! I think I must have it right, because the fuse is in the right place and the battery cable is in the right place. I must not have messed with the yel/red wire.

Thanks again.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter question

Your starter solenoid will look Something like this picture.
Your battery cable and fuse will hook to terminal A (The Big Terminal)
Your Yellow/red wire will hook to B (A Small Terminal)
You may or may not have terminals C and D. C could be a wire on the newer starters, and D isn't needed on your EFI engine.

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter question

Bondo, not sure when exactly, I think it was 2000 or 2001 when they started showing up.
Why??? ..... Got me, possibly the alternater sales were down and they needed to boost them. No other reason I can see for it being there. Probably is a safety feature for the engine circuit breaker because that is the only other thing that hooks to it, it sure isn't a safety for the alternator.

Electronics..... I doubt it, they have them on the 3.0L also.

 

[SuperNova]

Re: Starter question

Your starter solenoid will look Something like this picture.
Your battery cable and fuse will hook to terminal A (The Big Terminal)
Your Yellow/red wire will hook to B (A Small Terminal)
You may or may not have terminals C and D. C could be a wire on the newer starters, and D isn't needed on your EFI engine.

Terminal "C" is what supplies power to the starter motor when the solenoid is energized- all chevy starters have this terminal- it may be long(high-torque) or short(standard).

--
Stan