Starter Hell

[msbarr884]

Well, after a rearend swap, total interior switch out, and major engine swap and install, I got down to the starter. I bolted and wired it in. I connected the ground strap to the battery, and ::whirrrrrr::. The damn starter motor turns on, and the solenoid doesn't engage. Somewhere I must have skipped the relay and the switch in the ignition. I don't understand why. I have the positive terminal on the positive spot on the starter, and well, that should be it, correct? During a........mishap that involved electricity and fire, I think I burned out my original starter. So i figured, well ****, might as well just get the other starter. I switched an engine from a 95 5.0 to a 95 5.0. The only thing I could come up with why this bad boy won't work, is that there are two different setups for the starter. One was with 2 connectors (the ground strap and positive) and the other with the 2 connectors and a slip on connector for what I think is the relay for the solenoid. Does anyone know if the 95s had a differing starter/wiring harness? Has anyone has a similar problem? If this isn't the problem, where should I start looking?

 

[mustangGT85]

is it just me, or do stangnetters not like to deal with starter questions?

 

[jrichker]

There are a very limited number of people with good electrical skills. There are also a limited number who can describe an electrical problem in a way that is easily understood by others.

The 95 used a high torque mini starter that used a different wiring scheme from the eariler 5.0's. It would be to your advantage to do a search on high torque mini starter to find more help.

See http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/large/0900823d801ddb5a.gif for the 95 starter wiring diagram.

AutoZone wiring diagrams

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/16/71/3c/0900823d8016713c.jsp for 79-88 model cars

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/19/59/5a/0900823d8019595a.jsp for 89-93 model cars

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiB..._us/0900823d/80/1d/db/3c/0900823d801ddb3c.jsp for 94-98 model cars

 

[mustangGT85]

jrichker, you are the man.

 

[mustangGT85]

can some one please physically look at their starter, and tell me whats connected to it? so far i know there is one wire that connects to it from the starter selonoid. is the the only wire or are there others? please, some one. i know someone has a foxbody mustang with a starter.

~Steve

 

[stang&2Birds]

The fox starters have one wire terminal. That terminal connects to the starter relay. The terminal is at the back of the starter.
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/tmp/stater-Fox.jpg


The newer Ford starters have two terminals. The big terminal goes directly to the battery. The smaller terminal goes to the key/ignition switch.
http://www.veryuseful.com/mustang/tech/tmp/stater-FRPP-mini.jpg


To put a newer style mini starter in a Fox, the big wire goes to the battery (same as in the newer cars). And, the smaller wire goes to where the FOX starter cable USED to go on the Fox starter relay.

 

[stang&2Birds]

can some one please physically look at their starter, and tell me whats connected to it? so far i know there is one wire that connects to it from the starter solenoid. is the the only wire or are there others?

You're correct for a Fox OEM-style starter.

However, some people upgrade to the mini starter since it's smaller, more powerful (more reduction), and you can get a new one from Ford (IMHO, better quality).

 

[stang&2Birds]

There are also a limited number who can describe an electrical problem in a way that is easily understood by others.

Yup. It's often very hard to understand what people are asking or what the problem is. Unless someone that replies is willing to take the time to ask a ton of questions, it's often a "pull a guess out of your rear" type of thing.

Also, unless people use paragraphs, use real sentences, use proper grammar, use proper punctuation, and give an accurate and detailed description, then I often pass. I don't have the time or desire to try to interpret posts. Plus, pictures/diagrams help a ton.