So here's the deal. I just put in a TCI mini starter and it doesn't work(go figure). i checked the basics. There is power at the starter through the + battery cable. The turn on wire supplies juice. Nada. So I put a wire from the battery straight to the solenoid. Big fat nothing. So power is getting to it. I think there is no ground. Where do starters ground to? I assumed the block but the starter is on and bolted up so it should be fine. Could my battery cable somehow not be conducting juice the the solenoid? There is power in the car and my battery is not dead. Could it be the order that the wires are on the stud? They go from starter to car wires to +cable to washer/nut. Could the power be dead ending at the wires for the car? What is going on?! I want to drive my car!! Has anyone experienced this? HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELP

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82 z28 350cid, vortec heads, comp 262h cam, Holley 600cfm carb, 2in twice pipes, MSD ignition, turbo 350 trans, 3.73 posi

 

82,

The starter is grounded to the case through the bolts and mounting flange. If you jumped power directly to the solenoid terminal and got nothing, either you have no battery voltage at the starter or the solenoid is defective.

You need to verify that both the positive and negative battery cables have no resistance. Check the voltage at the starter positive terminal and ground at the starter case. You should read at least 12.6VDC Continue checking the voltage while someone turns the key. If the 12VDC you measured drops appreciably when the key is on, you have resistance at the connections. If the voltage doesn't drop, you can be fairly certain that the solenoid isn't grounded or is defective.

Later,
Vader

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"Some Body...Someone"

 

damn.............. vader rocks.

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-opieum
"the meaningless post master"
92 Stock RS
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aim: opielight
opielight@hotmail.com

 

I do have voltage at the starter through the positive battery cable. I don't know if the voltage is getting to the starter. The ring terminal with the 2 wires attached to it is between the starter and + battery cable. I think that may be the problem even though it makes no sense, I am out of ideas. I think the solenoid being defective is a fargone possibility. The reason I got the TCI starter is because the new Powermaster starter I bought had exactly the same problem. I thought I broke the powermaster during the install, I dropped it and I thought I shattered the magnets, it may still be good. Also when I turn the key on nothing happens I checked the fuses and they have juice, I ground one with a voltmeter attached. I checked for a blown one with a voltmeter also. My battery gauge register nothing and the headlights don't turn on along with my cd player. Remember all fuses are good and they have power. Weird huh? Good idea, I will try grounding to the starter case.

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82 z28 350cid, vortec heads, comp 262h cam, Holley 600cfm carb, 2in twice pipes, MSD ignition, turbo 350 trans, 3.73 posi

[This message has been edited by 82z (edited July 31, 2000).]