testing Solenoid

[redfish1940]

If the solenoid clicks when you turn the key. Does that mean its good? every thing is clean and a full Battery and just got starter out of the shop.its good. but nothing happens I guess its getting power from the key because it clicks. Thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: testing Solenoid

just because it clicks does not mean it is making contact inside. use a meter, activate solenoid, and get reading from out post. also low battery can cause this.

 

[redfish1940]

Re: testing Solenoid

I put the meter on the two small post going in and got juise when turnd key. but when I put the meter on the large post out. red on pos. and the black on neg. and turnd the key nothing. Thanks

 

[ezeke]

Re: testing Solenoid

Connect your positive test contact to the outgoing large post and the negative to the engine block, then crank it. If you get no reading, check your battery connections, especially the negative, before replacing the solenoid. You need a fully charged battery and good cables.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqHPzc2y-YQ

 

[boat1010]

Re: testing Solenoid

The solenoid just closes another set of contacts. so if you do not get voltage to the large posts it could just be the secondary contacts.

 

[redfish1940]

Re: testing Solenoid

thanks guys I think I might have a short somewhere. I am going to get a expert to check it for me.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: testing Solenoid

You do not have a short. Shorts blow fuses. You very likely have a bad solenoid. Any testing requires a known good, and fully charged battery. Assuming it's charged is not acceptable. Use a short piece of wire (14 gauge or larger) that is bare on each end. Touch one end to the post that has the POS battery cable on it and the other end to the small post with the wire from the ignition switch. This essentially replaces the entire ignition switch circuit. If the starter spins you have a switch/wiring problem. If not, use jumper cables to test the starter. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the POS terminal of the battery and the other to the large post on the starter, or the large post on the solenoid that has the starter cable attached. Connect the negative jumper cable to the negative post on the starter and the engine block. If the starter spins it is ok and you now have shown the solenoid is bad.

 

[redfish1940]

Re: testing Solenoid

Thats good news .Its been raining cats and dogs here and haven't been able to try that yet. I tried it with two differn't batterys the the charger says they are full. But you are right its not blowing fuses . I am in Daytona 500 country. and the fans got some stinking weather

 

[redfish1940]

Re: testing Solenoid

You were right .I didn' think it was the starter because I just had it at the shop and had the gear replaced and it worked on their bench.
I took it back and the pos. post was the problem. that and new brushes. fixed it.

Thanks very much for all your knowledge