Starter solenoid?

[Rusty]

So a month ago the 440 4 speed wouldn't start but if I turned on the ignition and jumped the solenoid terminals she would fire right up.
Same symptoms this time but if I jump the terminals all I get is one very pissed off arc of sparks.
Could the solenoid be toast again? Or maybe the starter??

 

[mopar 3 B]

The solenoid is in the starter. Have you been jumping the relay which is not part of the starter, but sends current to the solenoid which engages a disk in the starter that activities field current in the starter that ingages the starter drive into the flywheel. Basic gear reduction starter function.<br>
<br>
If current is getting to the small terminal on the starter and no clicking noise is heard the disk on the solenoid is more than likely bad. Jumping the small and large terminals at the starter will eliminate a bad solenoid disk. If the starter still doesn't turn it will have to be repaired or replaced.<br>Do to the arch you have explained the starter more than likely has a internal electrical short.

 

[Rusty]

Thanks, very detailed response. Appreciate the support.

 

[Shorthorse]

I have the same questions as mopar 3 B. Are you jumping the solenoid or the starter relay? If your jumping the relay and the car starts, the starter & solenoid is fine. The starter relay has to have a ground from either a neutral safety switch or there are some starter relays that got their ground from the case being bolted to the firewall. You said you have a 4 speed car. What is year & model your car?

 

[kiwigtx]

So a month ago the 440 4 speed wouldn't start but if I turned on the ignition and jumped the solenoid terminals she would fire right up.
Same symptoms this time but if I jump the terminals all I get is one very pissed off arc of sparks.
Could the solenoid be toast again? Or maybe the starter??

When you 'jump the terminals' you should only contact the main bolt terminal (from battery) to the centre terminal (starter solenoid). Touching anything else will result in 'pissed off arc of sparks'
If the only way to start your car is jumping the starter relay as you appear to be doing, you either have a case of bad wiring in your ignition switch, broken wiring between clutch switch and the relay, or the relay is faulty.

Check the voltage between the two small terminals on the relay while someone turns the key to START. (Just make sure car is in neutral with park brake on) ....you should have 12 volts or thereabouts.
If that produces zero volts, then test the resistance between the two terminals WITH THE WIRES DISCONNECTED. If you get zero (or almost zero) resistance, then the relay is definitely toast.

 

[Rusty]

I was jumping the relay, I had solenoid on the mind since I am hunting for a idle solenoid for a 71 Hemi 4 speed car.
I put the car on the lift (70 Superbird 440/4 speed) to check the starter and quickly found my problem, the smaller wire from the battery harness to the starter was melted against the exhaust and grounded, larger wire is not much better.
Simple fix, harness was routed wrong and took 15 years to melt thru, at least it happened at home!
Thanks

 

[Shorthorse]

Good deal.