Starter Solenoid Issues?

[Deleted User]

Hey all, so the restoration on the 54 jet continues.  I've cleaned the instrument cluster and replaced the bulbs.  When starting the car, it tried to start once.  Now nothing happens when I turn the key.

I'm guessing a fuse or the starter solenoid went bad.  Here's a picture.  Please notice that all the wires are attached to the one post.



Is there a reason for this?  The car started fine for a while, but as I said... nothing happens when I turn on the key.  Also, the lights do not work now.

Is there a fuse before the solenoid that could have blown?

Thanks for your help!

leegall

If you mean the head lights  will not " work now"   i would check the Battery with either a multimeter  or test light to check that battery has  charge and the post are clean.

Lee

Jon B

I think Lee is right.  Remove and clean the cable and ground strap lamps.  Clean the battery posts.  Be sure that the connection is "tight and bright" at the cable to solenoid connection.  Be sure that other end of the ground strap has a good connection to the frame, engine, body or bellhousing (wherever it's connected).

And of course, as Lee says, be sure that battery is in good shape!

Park_W

Yes, the behavior sounds like one or more corroded connections.  Be sure to tug on the battery cable ends to be sure the terminal lugs haven't come loose.  Have seen this more than once.

[Deleted User]

Battery is fully charged. I thought that too and checked it.  I'll now check the ground and connections.

But on the solenoid, why are all the cables attached to one post? Was the previous owner trying to bypass something or is this acceptable on a Jet?

Jon B

According to the Jet wiring diagram http://home.comcast.net/~sarahdyoung/hudsonjetelectrical.html#hudsonjetwiringdiagram , the only wires coming into the solenoid are

1. the battery cable and wire to "B" on voltage regulator (both on one of the large solenoid terminals),

2. the wire from solenoid to terminal on starter (other large solenoid terminal),

3. and the wire to the starter switch (the small solenoid terminal).

No solenoid terminal should have more than two wires / cables attached.

If you have extra wires attached to the solenoid's "hot" terminal, my guess is that some previous owner needed power somewhere so simply tapped off that terminal (since it is connected through the battery cable to the battery).  You might try tracing those extra wires to see where they go.  If detach them, something (probably an accessory) won't work!

hudsontech

It could well be a corroded connection.  I had a 1969 Rambler with an electrical problem - the idiot light would be on most of the time.  Sometimes bright, sometimes dim.  Everything seemed to check out so in desperation I took every electrical connection under the hood that I could get to and cleaned them.  I even took the spade connectors apart and cleaned them.  Somewhere I hit the right one as the problem went away.  You have to remember that you are dealing with a 60 year old car.  Flowing electrical current can cause corrosion as can various and sundry items, such as water, tossed up into the engine compartment.

Hudsonly,
Alex Bur
Memphis, TN

leegall

Hi

Your picture   appears
to only have a red wire attached to one of the terminals on the starter
solenoid .the other terminal looks as if there is no wire from the starter ,this
is odd  because as you   have
said  it tried to start once!

 

Questions

 

   Did the starter
motor engage and turn the engine over when you tried to start it?

 

When you say the lights do not work now. What lights do you
mean?

Lee

leegall

Sorry don't know why the comment is so spread out?  
Lee