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Old Mar 19, 2012 | 01:43 PM
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1980 L48
I have had a starter issue for a while (wont turn over whne its hot)- so I replaced the starter last night- now it wont do anything-

I have the battery charging


So I have a couple of questions:

1. How do I check to make sure I am getting power to the starter- I am not very electrically inclined so could you give me very specific instructions on where to place my meter? and do I need to have someone turn the key while I measure?

2. The old starter had one post coming out of the solenoid that a black wire goes onto. The remanufactured one has 2 posts- The guy at the auto store said just use the same side as the one you took out? Does this make sense?

Any help would be appreciated
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Old Mar 19, 2012 | 01:55 PM
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check your battery connections, try putting the small wire on the other post?
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Old Mar 19, 2012 | 02:16 PM
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Don't forget the shims. The new starter may have a few thousands difference + or - either way in the mount. Don't think you can just bolt it on without checking.
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Old Mar 19, 2012 | 03:36 PM
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Make sure that the negative wire from the battery to the frame is good.

Check the big lug at the starter solenoid, the positive battery wire goes there and also 2 other wires (red-black and red) that bring power to the rest of the car.

You should have a purple wire on the small solenoid "S" terminal closest the the block.
When you turn the key to start the purple wire turns on the starter.
You will have no wire on the "R" terminal.

The black wire is a ground for the fan and wiper motor it gets connected to a starter bolt or a bell housing bolt.
http://www.nrjvette.com/johdotukset/...tte%201980.pdf
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Old Mar 19, 2012 | 05:11 PM
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Originally Posted by petes74ttop
Make sure that the negative wire from the battery to the frame is good.

Check the big lug at the starter solenoid, the positive battery wire goes there and also 2 other wires (red-black and red) that bring power to the rest of the car.

You should have a purple wire on the small solenoid "S" terminal closest the the block.
When you turn the key to start the purple wire turns on the starter.
You will have no wire on the "R" terminal.

The black wire is a ground for the fan and wiper motor it gets connected to a starter bolt or a bell housing bolt.
http://www.nrjvette.com/johdotukset/...tte%201980.pdf
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Old Mar 19, 2012 | 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by petes74ttop
Make sure that the negative wire from the battery to the frame is good.

Check the big lug at the starter solenoid, the positive battery wire goes there and also 2 other wires (red-black and red) that bring power to the rest of the car.

You should have a purple wire on the small solenoid "S" terminal closest the the block.
When you turn the key to start the purple wire turns on the starter.
You will have no wire on the "R" terminal.

The black wire is a ground for the fan and wiper motor it gets connected to a starter bolt or a bell housing bolt.
http://www.nrjvette.com/johdotukset/...tte%201980.pdf

So I pulled the starter out- took it back to have it checked- the lady behind the counter put it on the test stand and it fired right up. As she is putting it back in the box she notices the big lug on the solenoid was loose and the lock nut was not tight. And sure enough that was the problem- took it home tightened it and put it back in and she fired right up. I did not realize what you meant by check the big lug- I do now - lessoned learned on this one

Thanks for your help!
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