The starting solenoid is in charge of supplying the starter with energy from the battery. The starter will start the engine once it is activated. You should know the correct wiring procedures to replace this component.
The battery wire and the ignition switch wire are the only two wires that connect to the starting solenoid. The starting solenoid has two wires that connect to the starter and ground. However, the latter may not be present if the solenoid is connected to the chassis.
Starter Solenoid Wiring Diagram
When wiring a vehicle from scratch or repairing a broken solenoid, there are two scenarios in which you may need to connect a starting solenoid. The procedure is quite straightforward in both situations, but it is significantly simpler if you switch out components.
Whether the normal starting solenoids have three or four poles, connecting them is often the same. The starting solenoid’s backplate serves as a ground when mounted on the bumper or another area of the engine compartment, negating the requirement for a ground wire.
Four Pole Solenoid
The four-pole solenoid may be identified by the two posts facing the front and the two projects to the left and right.
Input and output are provided by the left post, connected to the battery line, and output is sent to the starter by the right post. These posts can accommodate heavy-gauge wires that carry large currents and are easily identified by thickness.
The solenoid has two smaller posts close to each other on the front-facing side. A thinner wire runs down to the left post from the ignition switch, passing via the neutral safety switch (and sometimes a relay). While the battery and starting posts transmit electricity, it controls the relay.
Three Pole Solenoid
It is possible to connect a three-pole solenoid in the same manner as a four-pole solenoid, although it might be challenging to tell which poles are used for what depending on how they are orientated.
Some versions include poles that extend above, to the right, and the left of the solenoid, with nothing looking forward. The tiny pole that connects to the ignition switch should be pointing upward. The starter is connected to the right pole, while the battery is connected to the left.
The ignition pole should always be at the top, dividing the other poles to the left and right. Some engines have all three poles pointing forward, but the same requirements apply. To be safe, it is nevertheless advised to read the solenoid’s instructions carefully.
What Is the Location of the Starter Solenoid?
The starting solenoid has two major locations in the engine compartment. The first is immediately installed to the starter, as seen in many pictures, and resembles a tiny cylinder compared to the starting.
Due to the more congested engine compartment, it is now usual to practice separating the solenoid from the starter to make it simpler to repair. The starter solenoid is often fastened to the side of the engine compartment on the wheel arch.
What Purpose Does the Starter and Starter Solenoid Serve?
We all understand that internal combustion engines are very effective devices that can easily power themselves and transmit a lot of power to the means of propulsion. The engine must compress the gasoline and ignite it to produce the initial instance of power, but the compression must originate from someplace.
What we’re referring to is precisely how folks used to start cars with cranks in old black-and-white movies. The first cranks had to be performed by hand for the early automobiles since there was no starter.
Hand cranking was a risky and time-consuming process before starter motors were created. To spin the engine until the driver releases the key, the starter draws a significant quantity of electricity from the battery.
A heavy-duty relay is basically what a solenoid is. It is a barrier between the battery and the starter and only permits electricity to flow when the ignition has activated the relay. A diagnostic method or quick remedy would be shortening the battery wire with the starter, obviating the need for the old solenoids fastened to the start. Here is how to accomplish it:
Symptoms of a Failing Starter Solenoid
What to look for in a poor beginning The signs of a failing starter may coexist with those of a solenoid, but the reverse is not true. This suggests that the starter itself is the cause of whining noises, cranking but not starting, and clicking.
The absence of any engine reaction when the ignition key is turned is the primary sign of a bad starting solenoid.
The two methods are shown in the video above—trying to short the solenoid—or using a multimeter to measure the voltage across the large posts both with and without rotating the key—are the best ways to test a solenoid. If there is no current, the solenoid’s internal mechanism has failed.
How to Replace a Starter Solenoid
The only tools required for the starting solenoid replacement operation are a few wrenches, a socket set, and sometimes a wire brush to clean the wires.
- Find the starting solenoid; it is either on the starter or the side of the engine compartment.
- Remember where the cables should be mounted, and if required, label those locations.
- The nuts holding the power cables in place must be removed, and the ignition wire must be pulled out.
- Screw the mounting bolts for the solenoid.
- Reattach the wires after installing the new solenoid.
- See if you can get the engine to start.
What Is the Price of a Starter Solenoid Replacement?
The cost of replacing a starting solenoid is pretty decent; the item ranges from $10 to $35 for standard passenger cars, and labor should be at most $50, considering the straightforward job.
Purchasing the equipment required for testing and repairing a solenoid will probably be less than a mechanic would charge. The additional benefit is that you don’t have to tow your car to the mechanic or have him come to your house, and after the job is done, you get to retain the equipment.
Summary
As you can see, just three wires connect to and leave the starting solenoid, and they are all clearly labeled. The thinner center post is connected to the ignition wire, while the two larger wires are for the input battery power and output starter power.
Even though diagnosing a broken starting solenoid might be challenging, it’s luckily not too expensive to replace one. You can rapidly repair a solenoid or have a professional swiftly do it since they are reasonably priced and simple to replace.
