I checked the solenoid when I try to start it and I get .5 volts... But crossing it with the main power in with a screw driver doesn't work either...
really? point 5? one half a volt? you MUST read a full 12V with a meter at the starter terminal or all this chatter is meaningless - if you have a full 12V at the main start terminal and on the solenoid S terminal and nothing happens, you have a defective starter
from your picture I'd say someone did a poor job of making wire ends, the main battery cable MUST have a soldered end, not just a squashed on terminal, same for any ground cables, where you have the ground should be fine, but the area doesn't look very clean, it must be absolutely clean to bare metal - and why is that extra nut
under the cable end? why isn't the cable end shiny copper color? what's with the red paint? why is there no lock washer on it [preferably an external toothed star washer]?
the problem appears to be all wiring, take an ohmmeter to it and check every individual part of the circuit and every connection point and get everything to be nearly zero ohms from the bettery posts on
Bill
