71 starter wiring- easy question?
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Chester VA
71 starter wiring- easy question?
I'm wiring my car back after the motor swap. I'm using a wiring diagram but it's more vague than I hoped. I have the battery positive going to the starter, and I have identified the purple wire that is supposed to go to the starter but my diagram doesn't say which lug it should go to. Is it the same lug as the positive battery cable? There is also supposed to be a red wire to the starter (again doesn't say where on starter it goes). I have a couple of red wires to choosed from but none look right. Can someone describe this red wire a little better such as where physically it routes, etc. The car has zero power even with key on if that lends a clue to which wire etc. I have a red wire that says "resistance do not cut", I wouldn't think that would be it and is likely the original coil wire right? What a headache, I was cocky disconnecting all the wiring to detail the engine compartment figuring "hey, I ordered the wiring diagram it'll be a piece of cake to hook back up"
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
On a 71 starter there should be the large lug that the positive cable goes on. Also there is a red wire that goes on the large lug. The purple wire goes on the smaller lug that is the S terminal. There should be a yellow wire that is the resisitance wire that goes to thr R terminal. The resistance wire goes from the starter up to the coil.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Chester VA
OK, got it hooked up as you described (minus the yellow as I don't run points), but am having trouble identifying which is the correct red wire, is it a solid red, does it come direct from the harness or somewhere else, does it split or connect to anything else? Thanks, goes without saying I hate wiring.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
You haven't mentioned the 14 gauge black wire. It has a large connector that CAN fit on the pos terminal of the solenoid BUT don't put it there , its a ground and should go to one of the starter mounting bolts or better yet on 1 of the bellhousing bolts.
This 14 black is the ground for the blower and wipers.
The red wire you guys are talking about should have a fusible link on it.
This 14 black is the ground for the blower and wipers.
The red wire you guys are talking about should have a fusible link on it.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Chester VA
Thanks for that, I'll need to find that one too. I'm certain none have a fusible link because I looked for that as a clue for which red wire was the correct one, I'm thinking a new harness is the way to go.
Last edited by wiseman79; Aug 24, 2010 at 10:51 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 298
From: Midlothian VA
The black (originally) ground wire should run straight up from the starter mounting bolt to the fan motor ground then across the firewall grounding the wiper motor and finally the TCS relay.
The red wire (originally) runs through two fuseable links. Once it reaches the second link a red wire runs through the harness to the horn relay and black wire exits the fuseable link and runs to the bulkhead connector.
The purple wire runs into the harness and goes straight to the bulkhead connector. The yellow wire runs straight to the coil.
Clear a mud I know.
The red wire (originally) runs through two fuseable links. Once it reaches the second link a red wire runs through the harness to the horn relay and black wire exits the fuseable link and runs to the bulkhead connector.
The purple wire runs into the harness and goes straight to the bulkhead connector. The yellow wire runs straight to the coil.
Clear a mud I know.
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