Dennis 613

The starter hung up and wouldn't disengage, I got out and removed the battery cable. I felt the starter and it was normal temperature, when I felt the solenoid it was very hot so I removed the starter. I got a starter that is correct for my car complete with solenoid and installed them, now when I turn the key I get nothing, and if you leave the key on for very long the ballast resistor gets very hot, I removed the starter and connected a jumper cable to a ground and to the hot, then I used a screwdriver to go for the hot to the solenoid pole and the starter engaged and spun. Could it be a problem in the wire harness. a wire grounding out, because when I turn the key on the voltage goes form 12v to 9v right away. Just thought I'd ask before I get back under the car disconnect the harness and remove the tape to take a look. Thanks Dennis

Vet65te

Dennis - It sound like your new starter-drive doesn't have the right amount of clearance. When the starter drive kicks out the gear (we used to just call it the 'Bendix') it engages the flywheel ring gear. There's supposed to be clearance so the two don't 'bind'. Typically, rebuilt starters come with some shims so you can effectively shift the starter closer or further away to create that needed clearance.
Mike T - Prescott AZ

rongold

Is it possible that you reversed the pink and purple wires ??? The purple wire goes on the "S" terminal, and the pink wire goes on the "R" terminal. The "S" terminal is the one closer to the block. The purple wire should be thicker than the pink wire---just in case the colors have changed from the heat & age.

Dennis 613

The 2 shims I had are installed with the starter, today I'll get some more and try shimming it out a little more, because the 2 shims together only amounts to .011, thanks for the information. Dennis

Dennis 613

I don't think they're reversed because they're sort of fixed in position, but I'm going to check it out this morning.
Thanks Dennis