Quick one--Starter wiring question

[kpfoten]

OK--I'm a bit confused but I think the red (positive) line hooks to the solenoid post, as well as the ground strap to the very same post. Anyone agree?

Thanks

[911pcars]

No. You don't want to complete a path to ground directly from the battery (pos. post) without introducing a load in the circuit. The heavy red battery cable does connect to the solenoid.

What ground cable are you referring to? The main ground strap in the rear of the car is the one connecting the transmission mount to the chassis (passenger side). You may have another under the air shroud grounding the alternator to the crankcase.

Sherwood Lee
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

[IROC]

Maybe you're confusing the "ground strap" with the cable that comes from the engine wiring harness. This isn't a ground strap, but comes through the 14-pin connector. It's relatively large.

Mike

[kpfoten]

Oops. I meant the "grounding strap." There were two wires coming out of the harness--red and (yellow?). The yellow has blade-connector thing to the solenoid opposite of where I think the red (pos) goes. Then there's a grounding strap that looks like it hangs from either the trans or the passenger sheet metal.

I didn't digi-pix the thing, but I think that the positive and the grounding strap go to the same post. ??? I don't have access to my references right now, unfortunately.

Thanks

[HawgRyder]

If you put both the ground and the hot wire on the same post....you had better get a real good fire extinguisher first!!!
The ground cable....test it first with an ohmeter....goes to the mounting bolt of the starter...OR....the case bolt of the transmission.
The yellow wire with the blade style connector goes on the blade sticking out of the solenoid (this is the wire from the key).
If you can't figure it out...get some local help with it....better to admit your problem with wiring than burn up the car.
You are not alone in not knowing about wiring.
Bob

[kpfoten]

Yep, HawgRyder, I agree. The blade is hooked up correctly, and something tells me that the positive and the grounding strap shouldn't be hooked together, but I vaguely remember them both coming off the same post... It's amazing how something trivial can pick at your brain. (like a jealous ex girlfriend?)

[kpfoten]

Wiring diagram shows that both the black and red are battery positive. I thought black was a ground strap for some reason. Call it "mechanic fatigue..." I didn't look hard enough.