[Aaron65shelby]

So I recently put my engine in my 65 and I’m starting if for the first time, and when I first tried to turn it over with the key, it didn’t work, but then I by passed the relay by jumping over the sides, then it started to crank over. Now when you try to start it with the key, it turns over when you turn it to on. It should turn over when you turn it to start, not on. What’s going on? And if that’s ok for testing purposes then will the starter turn off when it fires/runs? Please help

 

[myfirstcar66]

Sounds like the solenoid switch is sticking, first open (breaking the circuit) and now closed (completing the circuit).

 

[Woodchuck]

Check that you don't have the small wires on the solenoid reversed. BROWN wire goes to the "I" terminal. RED/BLU goes to the "S" terminal.

 

[Aaron65shelby]

How would you open/break the circuit? Is their a special way to do it?

 

[pprince]

How would you open/break the circuit? Is their a special way to do it?

Wack it with a screwdriver handle.

 

[Aaron65shelby]

Wack it with a screw driver handle? The solenoid?

 

[myfirstcar66]

Wack it with a screw driver handle? The solenoid?

Yep. Then replace it with a Motorcraft or Standard Motor Products etc quality one.

 

[Woodchuck]

Yep. Then replace it with a Motorcraft or Standard Motor Products etc quality one.

...and if it WAS stuck, make sure you charge you battery fully and ensure that all connections are clean and tight and all cables and terminals are in good condition. High resistance in the cranking circuit is "deadly" to solenoids. The arcing inside will work like a miniature welder.

 

[Aaron65shelby]

I mean, the only thing that I think might affect that is that when I wired up the ignition switch, the wire that goes to the switch has a resistor in it or says RESISTOR, I put that wire directly to the switch, instead of connecting it to a wire that goes to the alternator regulator(?). So maybe that could be a problem?

 

[Aaron65shelby]

But what does that mean that theirs high resistance in the solenoid? What’s causing that? Just a bad solenoid?

 

[22GT]

I'd check the two small leads on the solenoid. If they are reversed, it would energize the solenoid when switched to "ON".

 

[bsolo66]

It sounds like you are at the point where you need to buy or borrow a wiring diagram. It is invaluable in trouble shooting issues of this type.

 

[Aaron65shelby]

I have a wiring diagram, that’s how I wired all the ignition up. But I’ll check to see if the wires are reversed

 

[Woodchuck]

But what does that mean that theirs high resistance in the solenoid? What’s causing that? Just a bad solenoid?

High resistance in the SOLENOID means a bad solenoid. High resistance in the CRANKING CIRCUIT could occur anywhere, even inside the battery. Most typically it occurs at an electrical connection, inside the starter motor or between the starter motor housing and bellhousing ground. Isolating high resistance in a test is done using a VOLTAGE DROP test at component/connection points throughout the circuit. For example, to test the solenoid you'd connect a voltmeter typically using the 20VDC scale, with the BLACK lead on the starter motor connection side of the solenoid and the RED lead on the battery connection side of the solenoid, and engage the starter motor (crank the engine) and note the voltage reading. If you have a shop manual you'll find a reference to acceptable voltage drop for different components. The starter solenoid being, basically, a mechanical switch, should have a very low drop, maybe 0.1-0.2 volt max.

 

[Aaron65shelby]

Ok, I’ll get right on that