Clarification of wiring connections between battery, starter relay, and starter

[69 Charger]

Before sending my '69 Charger off for restoration, my intention was to maintain the original wiring -- which was not in bad shape -- so I took photos and marked the original connections and components. However, after reading about some of the wiring fires others have experienced, I decided for new wiring (M&H), which was installed. Two problems arose after delivery of the car: Not all M&H wires matched the original wire colors, no diagrams or schematics came with the new wiring, and the shop apparently threw away the original harnesses -- at least, they couldn't find them anymore.
So, i would like verification, please: Does the positive cable from the battery attach directly to the BAT terminal on the starter, or does it connect to the starter relay? The new battery cable has a stub wire. Does this go to the relay or the starter?
Yes, I have the FSM. I have a photo showing a heavy black wire with a U-shaped terminal apparently to be connected to the relay, but the new wiring does not have that wire.

Thanks! I would hate to see the car go up in smoke with all that shiny new paint!

 

[Geoff 2]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Very good reasons to stick to the factory wiring & let the aftermarket keep their wiring packages...

Yes, bat [+ ] cable goes direct to starter.

I think you need to post the M&H [ Mix & Hope ] cct diagram.

 

[69 Charger]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Very good reasons to stick to the factory wiring & let the aftermarket keep their wiring packages...

Yes, bat [+ ] cable goes direct to starter.

I think you need to post the M&H [ Mix & Hope ] cct diagram.

What is the "M&H cct diagram" that I should post? I received no diagram of the wiring at all. I called M&H to get something, and their reply was they don't have any schematics or diagrams, they build the harnesses from factory drawings. I asked the resto shop and they did not receive anything with the new harness. I found several connectors not connected to anything, but concluded those are for systems not on my car. I haven't powered up anything yet.

 

[BLK 68 R/T]

Can you post a picture of your new battery cable? Is it a good reproduction one or just a generic one?

 

[69 Charger]

The car left for the restoration without its original battery cable, which I retained, but the 56-year old terminal is too chewed up to use on the car now. A new battery cable was not installed by the resto shop, so I am replacing it with one from www.rockauto.com, not received yet but should be here tomorrow.

 

[BLK 68 R/T]

The car left for the restoration without its original battery cable, which I retained, but the 56-year old terminal is too chewed up to use on the car now. A new battery cable was not installed by the resto shop, so I am replacing it with one from www.rockauto.com, not received yet but should be here tomorrow.

That link doesn’t work. Takes me somewhere weird lol.

 

[BLK 68 R/T]

Does the one you are looking at look like this? This is for a big block car.

 

[69 Charger]

Sort of, but that one is more "finished" and what I was hoping to find. The only thing available locally is the cable with the battery terminal and a short "stub" wire that is intended to be spliced to more wire, but not included. The local parts stores (O'Reilly's, Advance, and Autozone) have them for $20 and up, depending on length but Rock Auto has them for $9 to $12. Summit Racing doesn't show them available at all. Where does the one in the photo come from? It has been many years since I bought parts for the Charger.

 

[69 Charger]

This is for a 383 HP, by the way.

 

[GTXDAN]

The cable you will get from Rockauto will be just the cable to the starter only most likely. You can get the cable like Black 68 R/T posted at most restoration part retailers and there are lots listed on fleebay.

Positive Battery Cable 383 440 Fits 68 69 70 Charger Road Runner GTX Mopar Econ | eBay

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www.ebay.com

 

[BLK 68 R/T]

Here is the concourse correct one from the same place as GTXDAN posted. In my opinion the concourse correct one will serve you better than the eBay one. Usually the cheaper “original” looking ones are made with smaller gauge cable than original. Obviously it’s totally up to you which route you want to go and depends on your budget. Also these are made to fit the original gear reduction starters and the molded end doesn’t exactly fit a mini starter if that’s what you are planning on going with.
https://521restorations.com/Positiv...B-Body-big-block-1-piece-molded-starter-lug-/

 

[69 Charger]

It's good to know that there is a cable out there that is closer to the original style, but I've already placed the order to Rock Auto and should receive it tomorrow. My concern was that I connect the right wire to the right place. The responses have clarified that for me, and I thank all for your responses. I want to stay as close as reasonable to the original configuration, but I'm not trying to do a Concours restoration with cost not a consideration.

 

[Big bill]

You can also build your own to match the original I have done it many times .

 

[Frank Mopar]

The cable from the battery goes to the relay.

 

[Richard Cranium]

Where the connections attach to are pretty much self explanatory; one is on the battery, the molded connection to the starter & the two that go to the starter relay. The wiring diagrams in a factory service manual will show you where everything goes.

Parts for these old cars are expensive and correct parts are even more expensive & there is a reason why that is. Report back with how the Rock Auto cable works out.

 

[69 Charger]

The cable from the battery goes to the relay.

Thanks, but that response appears to contradict the one from Geoff 2. If I interpret the diagram in the FSF correctly, there are two wires leaving the + terminal of the battery: one direct to the battery terminal of the starter relay (coded A1A-10R). There is no definition of these wire codes that I can find in the manual, but my interpretation is that "10R" means 10 gauge Red. The other is A1-6B-Red that goes direct to the starter battery terminal. If my interpretation is correct about the wire gauge, then the 6B wire is heavier than the 10R, so the main cable goes to the STARTER and the additional (smaller) wire goes to the starter RELAY. I hope I'm correct...

 

[HawkRod]

First, I have found the M&H wiring harnesses to be very good. I used one for my 70 Road Runner, and it was excellent.

The BIG cable coming from the battery bolts to the big lug on the starter. The 10 gauge wire is what powers everything else in your car. It bolts to the relay mounted on the firewall. See picture below of my 70. The red wire is plainly seen. This same lug connects a fusible link wire to the terminal wire block on the firewall (and goes to your alternator on the other side). This fusible link provides the power for the car. I don't believe it comes with a wiring harness, so you will need to purchase that separately.

Note that my wiring is not 100% stock, so don't look at all the wires in the picture for the factory location. But the battery cable wires are correct.

 

[OKDart]

Here is the concourse correct one from the same place as GTXDAN posted. In my opinion the concourse correct one will serve you better than the eBay one. Usually the cheaper “original” looking ones are made with smaller gauge cable than original. Obviously it’s totally up to you which route you want to go and depends on your budget. Also these are made to fit the original gear reduction starters and the molded end doesn’t exactly fit a mini starter if that’s what you are planning on going with.
https://521restorations.com/Positiv...B-Body-big-block-1-piece-molded-starter-lug-/

I bought one of the cheap knock offs that said "don't use with a mini starter". Well I did, and smoke started coming from the crimp at the terminal. Now I stay away from the cheap ones.

 

[BLK 68 R/T]

Thanks, but that response appears to contradict the one from Geoff 2. If I interpret the diagram in the FSF correctly, there are two wires leaving the + terminal of the battery: one direct to the battery terminal of the starter relay (coded A1A-10R). There is no definition of these wire codes that I can find in the manual, but my interpretation is that "10R" means 10 gauge Red. The other is A1-6B-Red that goes direct to the starter battery terminal. If my interpretation is correct about the wire gauge, then the 6B wire is heavier than the 10R, so the main cable goes to the STARTER and the additional (smaller) wire goes to the starter RELAY. I hope I'm correct...

Mostly.
Main battery cable does go to the starter, the smaller red wire does go to the relay. There is also another smaller wire that goes from the starter relay back down to the starter solenoid that is built into the wire harness.

 

[69 Charger]

Mostly.
Main battery cable does go to the starter, the smaller red wire does go to the relay. There is also another smaller wire that goes from the starter relay back down to the starter solenoid that is built into the wire harness.

The one I'm using from Rock Auto, and the harness from M&H, do not have the extra brown wire from the relay to the starter. I had to make that one myself.