Starter wiring part 2 HELP
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Starter wiring part 2 HELP
I can bench test the starter with no issue.
I can use a remote starter no issue.
I can't get the key to move the starter.
I don't have a Purple and Yellow wire. Mine are red about 14 gauge wire.
The other looks to be Brown 22 gauge wire.
The 14 gauge wire does have some kind of fabric shield wrap around it.
I've tried both wires to trigger the starter with no movement.
I've checked the fuses under the dash. Review the wiring diagram as well.
When I do turn the key it acts like it work with the radio and such going silent for a few seconds.
I've got the big ground from the body mount to the block and the ground from the fan to the starter bolts as well.
Any suggestions as to what to look for next. Neutral safety switch or something in the column? What I'm I missing??
I can use a remote starter no issue.
I can't get the key to move the starter.
I don't have a Purple and Yellow wire. Mine are red about 14 gauge wire.
The other looks to be Brown 22 gauge wire.
The 14 gauge wire does have some kind of fabric shield wrap around it.
I've tried both wires to trigger the starter with no movement.
I've checked the fuses under the dash. Review the wiring diagram as well.
When I do turn the key it acts like it work with the radio and such going silent for a few seconds.
I've got the big ground from the body mount to the block and the ground from the fan to the starter bolts as well.
Any suggestions as to what to look for next. Neutral safety switch or something in the column? What I'm I missing??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 14
From: Mobile Alabama
You really need a test light or better yet a meter. If you don't have a purple wire (sometimes they can look brown after years) then someone made a change. Check for voltage back down the wire until you find power. There can be problems with the wire, firewall connection, neutral/clutch switch, or ignition.
Good Luck
Good Luck
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,167
Likes: 1,667
From: Long Island
If I remember the brown wire is the 12 volt feed to the coil (smaller wire). The other wire is the trip from the switch. This should be on the outside terminal (fender side), the same one you used to trip the starter.
Check your clutch or neutral safety switch.
You can check continuity to the coil with the brown wire to be sure. (usually on the terminal closest to the block)When you start the solenoid closes and sends 12V to the coil to start the engine, then it opens and you run on the resistor = approx. 8-9 volts.. Saved the points.
Put a test light on the heaver wire (not the battery wire) and when you go to start the engine it should light (12 volts +) with either the clutch depressed or the car in neutral if an auto. The heavy purple wires are under the dash attached to the clutch neutral safety switch, a bear to get to.
Check your clutch or neutral safety switch.
You can check continuity to the coil with the brown wire to be sure. (usually on the terminal closest to the block)When you start the solenoid closes and sends 12V to the coil to start the engine, then it opens and you run on the resistor = approx. 8-9 volts.. Saved the points.
Put a test light on the heaver wire (not the battery wire) and when you go to start the engine it should light (12 volts +) with either the clutch depressed or the car in neutral if an auto. The heavy purple wires are under the dash attached to the clutch neutral safety switch, a bear to get to.
Last edited by BLUE1972; Aug 18, 2015 at 12:35 AM. Reason: spell
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Ok so remove the seat, check the safety switch. I should see the test light fire the purple wire. If not bad switch.
Otherwise look further down the line. Anything else after the safety switch?
Otherwise look further down the line. Anything else after the safety switch?
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,729
Likes: 267
From: Austin Texas
Corvette of the Year Winner 2017
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
you mentioned remote start,...
if someone added that it may also be alarm, which may also have an ignition interlock relay for anti-theft. this could prevent the starter from energizing with the key start.
if someone added that it may also be alarm, which may also have an ignition interlock relay for anti-theft. this could prevent the starter from energizing with the key start.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,167
Likes: 1,667
From: Long Island
If you have a stick, the clutch safety switch wires are easy to knock off with your foot. They are a bear to re-attach. Purple and white stripe, on my 71.
If you have an alarm it may have a no-start relay. trip or jump the relay and try to start.
Start at the starter and check for the key trip, then go to the safety switch and check for the key trip, then trace to the bottom of the steering column for the trip in the column plug.. that should give you a good idea of where the issue is.
Last edited by BLUE1972; Aug 19, 2015 at 12:45 PM. Reason: spell
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
The wires in your other post don't look stock. I would be inclined to follow those wires up the harness and see if there are some hack job connections. Find out exactly what happened to the purple wire that was original.
You've got the red wire that goes to the battery cable and powers the car identified and connected already?
The car does have power in the interior?
You've got the red wire that goes to the battery cable and powers the car identified and connected already?
The car does have power in the interior?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Thanks guys I got it last night.
Wired up a test light so I could see it from the drivers seat.
Bigger gauge wire was ignition. Smaller gauge goes to coil. I bought yellow and deep blue electrical tape and wrapped each for future reference.
Turns out after the carpet and mat the pedal needs to be pushed in hard for the safety switch to allow current. May have to cut some carpet away.
Wired up a test light so I could see it from the drivers seat.
Bigger gauge wire was ignition. Smaller gauge goes to coil. I bought yellow and deep blue electrical tape and wrapped each for future reference.
Turns out after the carpet and mat the pedal needs to be pushed in hard for the safety switch to allow current. May have to cut some carpet away.