Electical prob

[jonasaragon]

hey new to the site, was wondering if any one knew anything about electical on 71 delta 88. Won't turn over, starters good and batts good, there is power to the starter (checked with light) so i think the cables good. Any ideas?
thanks Joe

[texasred]

Is there power to the purple wire on the solenoid when you turn the key? Do the lights dim when you turn the key?

C.J.

[Oldsguy]

What C.J. is getting at is there may be voltage at the starter primary wire but that doesn't mean the solenoid is working or has ignition. Also, just having voltage at the primary wire may not idicate it is good, the wire may be degraded to the point that it won't support the greater current required to turn the starter motor, or you may have a faulty ground (not likely in the case of the starter to engine but could be in the case of ground wire from the engine to the battery). In addition to what C.J. suggested, make a physical inspection of the primary wire to the starter and the engine grounding wire/strap. Look for green corrosion on the battery ends of either wire and look for cuts, kinks, abbrasions or burns from exhaust, any of these might indicate poor wire condition and they could need replacement. The green corrosion on the battery ends could have crept up under the insulation a good two to three inches.

[texasred]

Thanks for clarifying that, Dan. Too tired....thinking in longhand...writing in shorthand....

C.J.

[jonasaragon]

when i turn the key, every thing goes out, dome, dash, headlights won't work. Theres 3 wires to hte starter, the main power the big one has 12 volts to it, the other two (i think its a yellow and black, or purple) also have power, but something keeps draining the bat, i tried checking the main ground from bat, but having probs getting to it. i'll let ya know an update later. Thanks for the help

ps when they test the starter, they test the solenoid too right?

[Oldsguy]

A good shop will check the starter (out of the car) on a fixture that loads the starter down and measures the current under operating conditions. So yes, both the solenoid and motor itself. Your problem sounds like you have a weak battery or bad primary wires or grounds or wire terminals as I mentioned earlier. Good luck and let us know what comes of it.

[jonasaragon]

found out what it was. My terminal on the neg was wasted, (dan was right, thanks!!) when i put it back on i couldn't tighten it up. Thats what was wrong. Now i need to find out what i did, cause i have power but it still won't turn over. Anybody know which of the yellow and purple wires should be hooked up to the "S" spot on the starter? Ithought it was the yellow one, but i'm not sure

[jonasaragon]

hey never mind on the last, i had the wires switched. It was my battery. Lot of work for nothing i guess. but now i stripped the positive terminal out. I can atatch the cable, but not tighten it very good. I think i have to replace it right? Or will it work alright. But man it was good to hear that old beast fire up again. Been driving my wife's honda, not nearly as much fun thanks again

Joe