C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

how to wire MINI STARTER???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 21, 2002 | 10:38 PM
  #1  
71roadster's Avatar
71roadster
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 1
Default how to wire MINI STARTER???

The old starter had 3 terminals. Battery, solenoid, ???. The new mini starter has 2 terminals, battery and solenoid. To what do I connect the other terminal?

From the wiring diagram it looks like it goes to the coil, but the wiring is so dirty and heat faded it's really hard to tell.

Thanks
Chris
Reply
Old Jan 21, 2002 | 11:03 PM
  #2  
kenincanada's Avatar
kenincanada
Racer
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
From: Victoria B.C. CANADA
Default Re: how to wire MINI STARTER??? (71roadster)

the third term. is ignition. it feeds 12volts to your coil during cranking.{point ignition} two term. starters are for HEI ignition witch doesnt require a cranking feed. I hope that helps.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2002 | 12:15 AM
  #3  
71roadster's Avatar
71roadster
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 1
Default Re: how to wire MINI STARTER??? (kenincanada)

Well I am running MSD billet distributer with a 6A box, so do I still need that connection? Or can I connect it to the solenoid terminal? I need to find a way to make this starter work since I bought it at a car show and it will be two months before I could exchange or return it.

Incedentally, I don't see any starters listed in summit or jegs differentiating between points or HEI ignition. Just chevy V8, all.

Thanks
Chris
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2002 | 12:21 AM
  #4  
73Ken73's Avatar
73Ken73
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 866
Likes: 1
From: Peabody,MA,USA
Default Re: how to wire MINI STARTER??? (71roadster)

You don't need that wire at all. That wire gave the coil 12 volts while you were starting the car. After the car is running the coil power comes thru the resistive wire. With the MSD you have no need for that wire. If I remember correctly the MSD takes in an ignition wire and +12v and ground. The coil wires come from the MSD box. I have the same set up, with a mini starter.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2002 | 12:44 AM
  #5  
kenincanada's Avatar
kenincanada
Racer
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 440
Likes: 0
From: Victoria B.C. CANADA
Default Re: how to wire MINI STARTER??? (73Ken73)

So what feeds your coil during cranking
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2002 | 02:47 PM
  #6  
71roadster's Avatar
71roadster
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 1
Default Re: how to wire MINI STARTER??? (kenincanada)

ttt
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2002 | 03:13 PM
  #7  
Smokehouse69's Avatar
Smokehouse69
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 9,662
Likes: 7
From: Semper ubi, sub ubi
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Default Re: how to wire MINI STARTER??? (71roadster)

The 3 wire starter had a terminal (marked S) that provided 12V directly to the coil while starting. Inside the solenoid was a metal contact finger to the inside of the S terminal. When the solenoid is engaged it routes 12V directly from the starter positive cable to the coil.
HEI does not require this to start. You can use a relay to provide this direct 12 volts to your coil. Get a hot constantly hot 12 volt (directly from the Big Starter cable is a good place.) Hook it up so that the 12 volt will flow through the relay when your key is in the START position.
That require that you activate the relay with the same wire that engages the started solenoid. I wish I had a schematic to show you exactly how it is supposed to work.
The reason I say to get a 12 volt from an unswitched source, is that most of the electronic circuits are set to disconnect when you are cranking the car. Wipers, radio, power windows, etc. all stop while you're cranking.
If you don't supply supplimental 12v to your coil, it might start, but it will be hard to start.
I did this a couple of months ago I think Pedro has also set his up too. It works good. Car will normally start on the first try.
Reply
Old Jan 22, 2002 | 03:13 PM
  #8  
73Ken73's Avatar
73Ken73
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 866
Likes: 1
From: Peabody,MA,USA
Default Re: how to wire MINI STARTER??? (71roadster)

The MSD box feeds the coil all the time. The spark is much stronger with the capacative discharge system. The ignition wire to the MSD box is still hot during engine cranking. Just leave the other wire disconnected or remove it .
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jan 22, 2002 | 06:39 PM
  #9  
Pedro'74's Avatar
Pedro'74
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
From: Clifton Park NY
Default Re: how to wire MINI STARTER??? (Smokehouse69)

I did this a couple of months ago I think Pedro has also set his up too. It works good. Car will normally start on the first try.
Yeah, I did rig a relay too, with Steve's help.

First I tried to leave the wire previously connected to the "R" terminal disconnected. I had a Pertronix module then, and it worked ok. However it was a little lazy to start, and sometimes it wouldn't start at all. Then after minutes looking like a fool at the gas station I'd pop up the hood, use a jumper wire to send 12V to the coil, and the car would start immediately, and I'd look like a great mechanic which I'm not.... :jester

Well, now I have this relay rigged, and I went back to points. It starts better than a new car now! :D

Anyway, I'd guess that with that MSD ignition you won't have any trouble leaving that wire disconnected.

-Pedro



[Modified by Pedro'74, 3:35 PM 1/23/2002]
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To how to wire MINI STARTER???





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:48 PM.

story-0
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-8
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE