The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Electrical Bay STARTER RUNS ON

put a later model 235 in my '50 AD pickup,had to replace the starter and ignition switch.also switched to an altenator.here is how i wired it.the hot lead that went to the reg. now goes to terminal on back of alt.the white wire goes to ignition side of ignition switch.the hot lead from headlight switch goes to battery side of igition switch.hot lead from negative side of ammeter goes to "S" terminal on solenoid,ran wire from "R" terminal to pos. side of coil.also ran wire from ignition side of switch to pos side of coil.nothing happens when i turn the key,unless i run a wire from the battery to the BAT side of ignition switch at which point the truck will start but the starter will not disengage unless i remove wire form battery to switch. HELP!

trhamilton,

This is my second try at this post. It sounds like you have a few things wired wrong...I think. No wire should run from the ammeter to the solenoid. The 'S' terminal pulls the starter in when the key is turned to START. The keyswitch should receive power from the - side of the ammeter, along with all the other loads in the system. The 'R' terminal is a bypass terminal which is only powered (internally) when the solenoid is pulled in. This bypasses any ignition resistor for a full voltage START.

You need to 'ring out' your ignition switch and find the terminals that are common when the key is turned to START..these will be your feed from BATT to solenoid. Does this make sense.

I will clarify a previous statement. A wire will run from ammeter to solenoid, but it runs from the + side, it's a large wire, and it is the path for the charging system to BATT.

Stuart

Hi Stuart,
I greatly appreciate your help!Here's where I'm at.I have an aftermarket keyed ignition switch.I have juice to the battery side and juice to the start side when I turn the key.The juice runs all the way to the solenoid,but when I turn the key I get nothing.When I jump the "R" terminal with a screwdriver the truck will start but not stay running.If I run a wire from the "R" to the coil and turn the key the truck will start ,but the starter will not disengage.All I changed on the truck was the generator to an alternator,the starter and the ignition switch.I'm beginning to believe I should have left well enough alone.

trhamilton,

I'm still a bit confused. The 'R' terminal should not be able to pull the solenoid in as far as I know...only the 'S' terminal. I think your problem is in your keyswitch wiring.

As near as I remember, an aftermarket ignition switch might have a BATT or terminal for power, a ACC terminal that would kill power to the coil but allow accessores to function. The other two terminals would be START and RUN, or IGN 1 and IGN 2.

Your keyswitch should get power from your ammeter - post. If you have a voltmeter, you can confirm that the RUN position is powered when the switch is turned to RUN AND when it is fully turned to START. This is how I think it should work. The START terminal connects to the solenoid 'S' post and pull the solenoid in ONLY when the key is turned to START.

The coil should also be receiving voltage when in the START position, as well as when the key springs back to RUN.

The only thing the terminal marked 'R' should do is pass voltage when the solenoid is pulled in and the starter cranking.

If you are running a external resistor, then the 'R' terminal would be wired to the coil side of the resistor...or to coil + itself.

To my limited knowledge, powering the 'R' terminal will neither pull the solenoid in, or if it is in, it cannot hold it in. It is a simple set of open contacts common with the battery. they close when the solenoid is pulled in, nothing else.

The spring loaded key is the switch that pulls the solenoid in when turned to START, then opens when released to RUN. This is the only way the solenoid should get power.

Does this mini-novel make things more clear.

Stuart

stuart,
thanks to your suggestions i've figured it out and got it running.a couple of crossed wires can really reek havoc on ones patience.thanks again.
tom