Starter noise

[HughMc]

I just replaced my starter because I though the old one was bad due to the noise it was making. It sounded like the starter was turning but the bendix was not engaging. Of course the NEW (rebuilt) starter is doing the same thing. I have been reading some of the posts but am not sure what to do next. Could it have been low voltage/bad ground all along? Also, what is the spade connector for on the solenoid? The old starter had a female connector on it but no wire connected to it.

Many thanks.

PS - I think someone is B-Sing about pulling a starter in 45 min! Hey that would make a great contest at the car shows....

[baltobernie]

The solenoid connection was your problem all along. I don't know what model year you have, but most Spiders have all but one wire attached to the threaded stud. The FastOn (or quick-connect, spade, etc.) terminal goes to the "Start" position on the ignition switch. This is a 12-14 AWG wire. Starter ground is mechanical, via bolts to the bellhousing.

Trace the wiring with Brad's diagrams. If the starter is turning but not engaging, maybe the start wire is incorrectly attached to the starter and not the solenoid. If that is the case, I'd guess that the starter is turning weakly, with only a few amps from the ignition switch and small-diameter wire. One could easily assume that the starter is therefore faulty.

[HughMc]

The car is a 72 with a 78 engine (1800 cc) or at least that is what I was told.

I have the red wire coming from the ign switch to the left post on the solenoid (the one with the tab coming from the starter). I have the pos bat cable and the black wire connected to the right post on the solenoid. Is this correct or should the red wire be connected to the spade on the solenoid?

The starter was working fine until one day it wouldn't engage.... I bet the parts house won't let me have my old starter back either.....

Hugh

[baltobernie]

According to Brad's diagram, the red wire alone goes to terminal #50 on the solenoid. I'm pretty sure that's what my car had. I've rewired it with a modern harness, but I seem to remember a red right-angle quick connect.

Did you change any wiring or terminations when you replaced the starter? I can't imagine you would clip off a terminal.

Maybe somebody else can chime in before you try it ...

[mdrburchette]

I've got the red wire that has a spade connector going to the solenoid on top the starter. Three wires: black, brown and wire to the battery go on the post on the starter itself. This is on my 72.

[So Cal Mark]

the red wire should go on the spade connector

[mdrburchette]

Did I say that wrong? Sorry. I will say the hardest part of replacing the starter was trying to get that little sucker on the solenoid without seeing what you're doing.

[HughMc]

Viola! She started. Since it was probably the connector all along do you think the parts house will give me my old starter back?

Thanks guys for all the input.

Hugh

[mdrburchette]

If they haven't sent it off yet, you may be able to pay the core charge and get it back.

[So Cal Mark]

I wouldn't expect to be able to return the starter you've installed and used