I've had it with heat soak. I'm done. I've stood in parking lots with the hood open for an hour for the last time. I've poured my last cup of water on the header and starter. What do I tell the guy at the parts counter as far as Make and Model for the solenoid I want. My starter has 2 red wires that connect to the battery post on the starter with the battery cable. It has one wire that was originally the resistor wire that goes to another post. And I have my OEM electric fuel pump wired into the other single post. I understand I run a jumper from the battery post on the starter to one of the other posts. I'm assuming it is the one that takes what was originally the resistor wire? Correct? Then I run a wire that extends one of the other wires from the starter up to the new Ford solenoid. But which wire? And which solenoid? Al Fiandaca just explained it to me, but I didn't write it down, so I'm lost. I know the posts on the starter are labled. I think S and R? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!
YEEEEEEEEEEEEE-HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!! In the morning I'm ordering the alternator setup and the solenoid kit. THANK YOU KENNY!!!!!!!!! And it is very price competitive too!!!
The Ford unit connection is almost universal, and requires only three wires. Just be sure that the solenoid is grounded. Even Fords had a problem with the way this solenoid grounded. You might consider an external ground wire to be sure. If the battery is fully charged, an alternator should not be necessary, but if you are getting hot and sweaty, go for it. It certainly couldn't hurt. Be sure that your cables have clean, tight connections. Good luck. You might look at my previous posts regarding the connections, if necessary
Double check all of your ground cables. I found rust under the engine strap that added a lot of resistance to the starting circuit. Not enough to stop it from starting, it just made any starting trouble (like heat soak) much worse. I added the Start-m-up kit for 2 reasons. 1 was hot starting trouble, the other was for the alarm system. If you want to install a starter disable with the alarm the GM wiring carries too much current and it will fry the alarm! The relay reduces the current to just enough to click the solenoid. It also fixed my starting problems.
Thanks everybody. I just got off the phone with Mark Hamilton of Mad Electrical. What a nice guy!!! Very knowledgeable. I ordered the alternator wiring kit for a 12SI and the Start M Up kit. My wiring is all new and the ground strap has even been doubled. So that is fine. It is just heat soak. Jeez, what a great board this is. I prompted Mark to have a look. Hopefully he'll be a contributor.
Jeff, As you found out, Mark the owner is a very nice guy and will BS for hours if you let him. I first found out about his company, "M.A.D." enterprises over 10 years ago, He walked me thru my whole set- up on my Skylark for re-mounting the battery in the trunk, his stuff makes everybody elses look like el-cheapo crap. I can't say enough good things about him and his products. When I first bought my '70 GS, about 5 years ago I called him immediately and purchased his remote solenoid and start-m-up switch! This guy as an electrical GURU!! I know your going to be very happy after you install your New parts.:TU:
Yeah, but now to do it right I have to yank the wiring harness. Again. Unwrap it. Again. Replace several wires. Again. No one ever said perfection was easy... But it'll look like it is supposed to. I'll be driving again within 2 weeks.
