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Posted By Discussion Topic: more solenoid problems     fordmerc 09-14-2011 @ 8:41 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 180 Joined: Oct 2009 The small terminal of solenoid is grounded and may read (but not always)7.4V. This happens either after driving 2-3 mi. or may happen after connecting the battery. Wait a while and both the Voltage and ground will not be present. On the original solenoid, it usually takes a drive; on a repro just the act of connecting batt pos. strap does it (and I heard a soft "click" once). starter button removed from circuit. the solenoid button always works to turn starter; grounding the starter button wire does not cause starter to turn (unless there is no voltage or ground at small terminal) This is just inconsistent enough to drive me nuts! I reviewed previous post and others; none seem to describe my problem (http://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=17&Topic=3594&keywords=solenoid) Any suggestions? supereal 09-14-2011 @ 11:36 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 When the starter button isn't pushed, you should read battery voltage, about 7 volts to ground on the small terminal. This is furnished by an internal connection of the relay coil to the large battery terminal on the side of the solenoid. The small terminal "finds" ground thru the starter button when the button is pushed. This pulls the relay, sending power to the starter. My best guess is that there is a "casual" (slight) connection inside the solenoid allowing the relay coil to receive ground from contact with the case. Any vibration while driving can cause the problem. There isn't enough contact to run the starter. It is also possible that the starter button or its wire to the solenoid has a slight ground. If the problem stops when a different solenoid is installed, that is the source. Same is true if replacing the starter button cures it. Usually, these casual shorts are difficult to find with an ohmmeter, but you can try by placing the leads between the small terminal and the case while you rap the solenoid. These kind of problems can drive you nuts. Last week, I chased an intermittent problem in a turn signal control that was caused by a contact that had come loose and floated around in the case. fordmerc 09-14-2011 @ 5:29 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 180 Joined: Oct 2009 Thanks. I've concluded that it must be the solenoid, and my reservation was that I have 2 solenoids: the original and a Chinese repro (with metric nuts and threads!) I took the starter button out of the circuit and the wire from starter to solenoid is not grounded and is intact (new harness). I guess I'll try a third solenoid. Yes, this has already driven me nuts! supereal 09-14-2011 @ 8:57 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 If you check the wire from the solenoid to the starter button, you should find battery voltage at the button before you press the button. With a Chinese solenoid, it is hard to say what you have. So much of that stuff is pitiful. We buy US made solenoids at NAPA. If you use those, you have to install a wire from the battery side of the solenoid to one small terminal, and the starter button to the other. They will have two small terminals, instead of just one on then original type. I have little faith in new wiring harnesses, as we have found some to have errors in routing. This message was edited by supereal on 9-14-11 @ 8:58 PM fordmerc 09-15-2011 @ 6:13 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 180 Joined: Oct 2009 supereal: you are absolutely correct: I have little faith in anything not made by Henry. I have tried to keep my car "original" so a NAPA part is probably the best way to go for practical purposes, but I hate to lose the "original" Ford solenoid. One way or the other, I will replace the solenoids (again). supereal 09-15-2011 @ 8:57 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 In my opinion, dependability trumps originality every time. The mods I've made over the years were to enhance the safety, as well as enjoy my cars without the worry that I might be stranded. Old cars are great fun only if they are trustworthy. Parts can, and do, wear out, which presents a whole new set of problems due to the questionable quality of so many replacement items. That places the hobby in peril. TomO 09-16-2011 @ 8:50 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7250 Joined: Oct 2009 I have had a Dennis Carpenter reproduction Ford Script solenoid on my car for the past 5 years and it has worked well. I also have an NORS solenoid with the button on the bottom that I can sell. Tom

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