Starter solenoid problem

Simply having a lot of connectors on one terminal is not going to cause wires to smoke. It's not a good idea, but there is something else. Track down what the yellow wire feeds.

Something as simple as this could help clean things up:

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You could use a smaller Bosch type relay which can be mounted anywhere, since the mini starter already has the solenoid built in.

Well, after searching the forum some more I ran into where it said to check the starter cable to ensure it didn't ground to the headers. Indeed it did, so I removed the cable from the headers, installed a new solenoid - no more sparks when I connect the battery. The yellow wire is one of the main feeds for the EFI harness.

Problem now, is when I turn the key - nothing happens. No clicks, no starter engaging. I think hear the fuel pump priming.

Could the grounding out on the headers have caused my starter to burn out? (I sure hope not, don't have $100 for a new one)

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I don't think so. How is your solenoid and mini-starter wired?

Here is a thread with discussion on wiring mini starters:

I would check voltage at the battery, solenoid and make sure all the terminals are clean & tight. Then check the wire going to the solenoid "Start" terminal to see if it gets 12V from the Ign switch while turning the key.

I'm curious though, if the wire does not get 12v at the 'start' terminal from the ign switch while turning the key, would that indicate a faulty ignition switch?

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That or the neutral safety switch bad or out of adjustment.

I noticed in your pic you are holding the solenoid in your hand. If you replaced it and left it hanging like that, it would do nothing like you say. It has to be bolted to the car to complete the circuit to ground.

Dumb question probably but I`ll ask anyway.

In your picture and in your desciption you show the battery cable and the wire going to the starter on the same side of the solinoid, shouldn`t they be across from each other to allow the solinoid to work?

Doh! You got me there, I did not bolt it back down after replacing it. I'll do that first, then check voltage if necessary.

Where's the neutral safety switch located in a '66 Coupe?

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Assuming you have a C4 auto it would be on the driverside of the transmission where the linkage is attached.

But i doubt that is your issue. If you didn't have the solenoid grounded when you tried it, that is definetly the issue.

65fastbackresto:
Dumb question probably but I`ll ask anyway.

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In your picture and in your desciption you show the battery cable and the wire going to the starter on the same side of the solinoid, shouldn`t they be across from each other to allow the solinoid to work?

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He has a mini starter that has the solenoid built in. The external solenoid is being used as a tie point to pass the battery power directly to the starter (and other points). The 16-12 ga wire is all that is required to pass the "Start" signal through the contacts to the "S" terminal on the mini starter.

maybe off topic, but GET RID OF THE WIRE NUTS!!!

Here is a link with some battery in trunk info and pics.
I like the heavy duty crimp trick with the flaring tool and punch.

This is the Battery Box I used:

View attachment 301790

I ordered my 1/0 gauge cable from these guys

You’ll need a heavy gauge positive cable from front to back, ground cable from battery to chassis in the trunk and from engine to chassis in the front. You will need terminals sized to fit the gauge cable and grommets where you plan to pass through the firewall and other metal areas.

First off I've never had a car that did not have OBD 2...

I just got a 65 Ford Fairlane with a 80's Mustang 302 and unknown transmission and I've been trying to get mine to start.
I replaced the starter and starter solenoid.
It still was smoking up the relay
there was only one ground cable to the headers from the battery, came like this
I added one from the header to the chassis doing research
now I read this thread so revival please

So I got issues still and I read this and see your not supposed to ground at the headers, mine is like this and I will change it, but want to know why is this?
Where are the proper grounding points on the block and the chassis?

Also mine has the Mallory Comp 9000 "Breakerless" Ignition and it looks wired like crap but looking at the wiring, figure 2 http://www.carid.com/images/mallory...tic-breakerless-installation-instructions.pdf ,
it looks right except for the 12v/Ignition switch to the left side of the condenser where the red wire off the distributor goes.
What would I hook that up too?
I'm guessing it needs to be connected to a circuit that doesn't cut out while cranking and what would that be?
I tested the metal screw out of the back of the ignition switch and it is powered at key on but not during cranking.
the previous owner had a flip switch inside of the car but I can't tell inside what it was connected to or if it was what he used for the ignition switch this thing mallory install guide is referring to.

And the Figure 2 Diagram is exactly like mine and the red green wire that used to go to the OEM coil goes to the Mallory Coil

Also there is an aftermarket fuel pump right in the engine bay where is a safe place to connect it into, I've been connecting it to the coil + thats where I see the power is not Always HOT in the bay

Thanks