2.7...start me up

[jason442]

Just finished a 2.7 rebuild, got the engine back in, turned the key and all I got was a click from the starter. Maybe it was a mistake to open my celebration beer before the engine even started. I'm realy a novice so let me tell you what I know so far. I conected the yellow wire to a small clip on top of the starter, the black large wire to the terminal on the left side of the solonoid and the red wire to the terminal to the right (for orientation me under the car feet sticking out the back looking up at starter). I definately have power from the large black wire coming from the battery. The wiring diagram I have (as I read it) says the red and black wire go to the same terminal. If I touch the red and black together I get a strong spark. When I put a screwdriver between the two terminals I get a spark and the starter doesn't engage. Before I tore the engine down the starter worked fine. I double checked the ground strap and also rechecked all connections to the alternator(all hooked up just like the photo I took before dissasembly). Wish I would've taken a photo of the starter wiring connections before I removed them. Is it possible my starter is grounding out?

Thanks,

Jason

[BB_A2Z]

Where is your "CLICK" coming from? If it is coming from the starter make sure you have the correct voltage at the battery. I hate to ask this one, but you did make sure the engine spun freely after you rebuilt it? Also the started could just be stuck tap it a couple times with a hammer then try it again! Good luck! i would like to know how you make out!

[jason442]

The click comes from the starter. I had a friend turn the key as I was under the car. The engine definately turned freely before installation. I tried tapping it lightly with a hammer a couple times but didnt help. I'll check the voltage on the battery tomorrow night. It was the same battery I used for about 5 months before the teardown so I think it's the right one.

[BB_A2Z]

Did you take the battery out of the car or just unhook it? Sometimes people make the mistake of putting it on the ground and that drains it. But if it has full voltage you may need to take the starter back out. It could be be too tight to the fly wheel and causing it to bind.

[jason442]

I had the battery checked and it was good. After removing the wires from the alternator I was able to put the red and black wire together on the starter (per wiring diagram) and the starter turned over fine. Now my problem is as soon as I attach the red wire back on the alternator I get a strong spark. If I remove the ground strap first I can put the red wire on the terminal without problems. I'm sure I'm putting the wires back on the alternator in the right order because I have photos before I took it apart. What should I be checking next?

Thanks,

Jason

[BB_A2Z]

You have a ground out issue somewhere. A positive lead must be grounding out if you are getting a strong spark. Feel around and see what wires are getting hot! Be careful trying to start it too much with it grounding out because it will melt the insulation on the wires.

[jason442]

I had the groundwire hooked to the alternator and once I moved it to the fan housing my problem was solved. I should've taken a better picture from the other side before disasembly.