Starter Solenoid bad 'out of the box', or am I an idiot?

[Cris]

or option 'C', all of the above.

Howdy, I've gotten back onto my wife's '63 Townie with the mighty /6 & 4 speed.

So I've replaced a bunch O' stuff without taking copious notes. MSD 6al with matching coil (still running stock distributor w/points),
also the voltage regulator and ignition switch and bypassed (removed) the ballast resistor.

So, for grins half way thru installing the solenoid with the big lugs loaded up with cables/wires (nothing to the smaller S & I terminals) and the key
out of the ignition (and the switch in the off position!) I attached the positive battery cable. I then touched the negative cable to the battery post and the engine turned over anytime I touched the cable to the post.

Does this mean it's 'shot' because it's energizing without the two smaller wires being attached.?
To one of the big lugs I've got three wires (as it was before) the battery positive, the one going down to the big lug on the starter and a 10 gauge going thru the firewall to the dash. On the other big lug is another 10 gauge going to the smaller lug on the starter.

Thanks in advance for the advice, it's appreciated.
Cris

[hmaynord]

it sounds like you're talking about the starter relay, not the solenoid. the starter relay is attached to engine compartment side of the wheel well.
starter relay for manual has only 3 terminals. if yours has 4, you have a relay for an automatic trans.
no clue what is supposed to happen with it wired the way you state.

[momNpops2018]

I am having same problem. How did you fix it?

[Jims68]

If you have the 4 terminal starter relay for automatic transmissions, you still can use that with the standard transmission. You only have to make a ground wire and attach that to the 4th terminal. SEE the YELLOW wire on my relay? That is a ground wire to the terminal. Just make up a jumper wire and ground that terminal. I DO forget which letter it is. Maybe I can get a better picture if you can't understand this one.

[dodgeboykim]

Simple test light will help determine if power present in correct spots. And Stater solenoid / Relay on inner fender may need to be grounded.

Post a CLEAR pic of it

[dodgeboykim]

Also is your truck an auto or a standard.

[Red383]

If you have four connections, you will need to ground the one marked G

[Jims68]

If you have four connections, you will need to ground the one marked G

starter relay.jpg

I should've taken a better picture of mine that shows my "grounded" tang...

[Red383]

Mine doesn't have the ground wire. I guess you had to be more responsible back then and actually check that you are in neutral before starting.

[dodgeboykim]

Mine doesn't have the ground wire. I guess you had to be more responsible back then and actually check that you are in neutral before starting.

Automatics have had neutral safety switch for decades. Standards did not start getting clutch safety switches till well into the late 80's 90's as standard equipment.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

My 58 Mercury Park Lane has the neutral safety switch.

[Red383]

My 1970 Cuda had a clutch safety switch.

Maybe you are just refering to trucks?

[dodgeboykim]

My 1970 Cuda had a clutch safety switch.

Maybe you are just refering to trucks?

Bit of an anomaly at the time. Conversation on here is trucks.