Author Topic: starter motor wiring  (Read 3029 times)

Offline z3i

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starter motor wiring
« on: August 14, 2013, 06:00:44 pm »
Got my car to a state where i can crank it over, just wanted to see if it would
and it didnt.... Nothing at all, no fuel pump prime or anything, just dash lights and on the 3rd click nothing, checled voltage, is fine, checked voltage when attempted cranking and it went up. So the starter isnt even trying

i noticed on the starter there is two spade terminals? I used the one nearest the engine, is this correct? Im sure thats the one i took it off

the big thick black lead and smaller red with black stripe both bolt on the starter positive?

the blue wire thats in the same loom and goes to the alternator, is that anything to do with it? As i dont have my alternator connected yet
many thanks


Offline Jezza-7

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Re: starter motor wiring
« Reply #1 on: August 14, 2013, 06:07:02 pm »
I think thats the correct terminal.

Is the earth strap on a well?

Offline z3i

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Re: starter motor wiring
« Reply #2 on: August 14, 2013, 06:35:22 pm »
Ok cool, any idea what the other spade terminal is for?
Yeah earth strap is on well and good :D the gearbox one
any idea what the blue wire that goes to the alternator is for?

Offline scotsjohn

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Re: starter motor wiring
« Reply #3 on: August 14, 2013, 06:46:47 pm »
Blue wire is field coil for the alternator. Spade terminals on solenoid; one just spins the starter if I remember correctly, although I'm not sure why. Other one activates the solenoid, then spins the starter as it engages. You should hear a distinct click as the solenoid activates; not hearing that, swap spade terminals.

Offline z3i

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Re: starter motor wiring
« Reply #4 on: August 14, 2013, 07:32:44 pm »
Bit random to have two then :S
ive just noticed the ecu relay isnt clicking, i cant remember but should it click when the dash lights come on? Second click
just tried both but no better
the starter isnt even consuming any power when i try cranking
gotta be a relay, but i havnt touched anything :(
the main feed from the alternator goes to the starter then the battery? I cant understand why :/ your not gonna get any power from the alternator to the starter when the engine isnt running lol

Offline scotsjohn

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Re: starter motor wiring
« Reply #5 on: August 15, 2013, 09:42:53 am »
Other way round Taylor, lead from battery to starter then alternator. Alternator output to battery when starter not engaged and engine running. Red and black (from ignition switch) definitely to spade terminal nearest engine. Trapped lead is easy in that tight corner.

Offline z3i

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Re: starter motor wiring
« Reply #6 on: August 15, 2013, 12:22:48 pm »
Yeah, sorry thats the way ive done, and the only way it reaches
ive got a massive beefy black cable straight from positive battery to starter
then theres the one we were just talking about. Battery positive- starter then alternator and is resonably thick. Why the need for two thick cables? I cant think of anything else other than wired up wrong, but the cables wont reach to go anywhere else
sorry for a million questions, all ive done is remove and refit it

Offline scotsjohn

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Re: starter motor wiring
« Reply #7 on: August 15, 2013, 12:34:50 pm »
Your basic wiring's alright then. Check you're getting 12v to the solenoid from the ignition switch.

Offline z3i

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Re: starter motor wiring
« Reply #8 on: August 15, 2013, 02:16:16 pm »
Right ok, big beefy wire, 12v to solenoid
small switch wire no feed to solenoid during cranking
followed the wire back and goes into the firewall into where the relays are on the passengers side inside the car
Better whip the haynes wiring diagram out

Im useless when it comes to electrical
mechanics. No problem lol

Offline scotsjohn

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Re: starter motor wiring
« Reply #9 on: August 15, 2013, 05:19:41 pm »
I think it's straight off ignition switch.

Offline z3i

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Re: starter motor wiring
« Reply #10 on: August 15, 2013, 06:47:39 pm »
I think it's straight off ignition switch.

indeed! Cheers mate, it was loose, well can only pressume its the feed wire for the solenoid. But it was loose in the back off the where all the connectors go into the back of the steering cluster, must of worked loose when i changed the column
thanks Scot, appreciate your help mate :)