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The heavy gauge wire (Thicker one) is attached to the battery and carries 12 volts at all times.
The thinner wire carries 12 volts from the ignition switch and when the key is turned from run to start the 12 volts flows through the circuit to activate the starter and causes it to crank.
There are generally a number of other components it flows through first you may need to check...if you have an automatic transmission it needs to flow through the neutral safety switch and may be routed through anti-theft relays as well. They all must be in proper order or positions before the voltage will flow and cause the starter to crank.
Now you must check the starter. The large cable going to the starter supplies 12+ volts. The small wire supplies 12 volts when the key is turned to the start position. Using a volt meter or 12V test light check for voltage at the small wire when the key is turned to start. If 12 volts are now present and your engine grounds are good then the starter is bad. You can try to bamg on the starter with a broom stick while someone turns the key to start. sometimes this will get the starter moving again. but not for long. starter replacement will be required.
If 12 volts is not present at the small wire when turning the key then you may suspect a blown fuse, fusible link, bad starter relay, neutral or clutch safety switch, or faulty ignition switch.
First check for 12-12.6 volts at battery if you have 12 volts at battery then,check for 12 volts at starter power cable if you have 12 volts there then check for 12 volts on the switch side of starter solenoid ( purple wire ) this should get you started in the right direction.Let me know what you find out.
Your description indicates a dead spot in the starter. When it does this and you keep turning the starter it moves past the dead spot and will start.This may require starter replacement.
starter or solenoid. Both come off at same time. Take them apart, and you can troubleshoot which one is bad, or can just replace both. If you hotwire 12 volts to starter and it turns, then starter is good (replace solenoid). If no turn, starter is bad.
You will need a volt meter to figure this one out. Battery voltage? Should be above 12 volts, and while you are trying to "crank" the engine over, if it's still over 12, you need to see if that power is getting to the starter motor. If it goes below 9 or 10 volts, you either have a bad battery, or the starter motor is shorted, or bad.
To test the starter, you should have a large wire going to the starter that has 12 volts all of the time from the battery. A smaller wire will have 12 volts only when the key is turned to "start". If you have these and a good ground, the starter motor is bad.
Hi Tonymcder; Here's what happens in the start sequence when ypi turn the key.
When you turn the key, you should at least hear the starter solenoid click. When you turn the key the ignition switch sends 12 volts to the Starter solenoid ( really just a relay). The Solenoid closes and applies 12 volts (at a high current) to the starter motor to crank the engine. If you have a way to measure voltage, you should get 12 volts at the small terminal on the starter solenoid. The solenoid is mounted on the top of the starter motor.If you get no voltage, probably an ignition switch If you get 12 volts and the starter doesn't crank the starter is probably defective. At this [point take a small hammer and tap the starter motor, not hard, just medium. Sometimes this will cause the starter motor to catch next time you turn the key. Best bet is to remove the starter motor (with solenoid attached) and take it to an Auto Zone type store where they can check it out for you. Be sure you disconnect the ground terminal of the battery before you attempt to remove the starter motor. Hope this helps Loringh Thanks for using FixYa
When you turn the key, you should at least hear the starter solenoid click. When you turn the key the ignition switch sends 12 volts to the Starter solenoid ( really just a relay). The Solenoid closes and applies 12 volts (at a high current) to the starter motor to crank the engine. If you have a way to measure voltage, you should get 12 volts at the small terminal on the starter solenoid. The solenoid is mounted on the top of the starter motor.If you get 12 volts but no cranking, the solenoid is not working. If you get 12 volts and the starter doesn't crank the starter is defective. At this [point take a small hammer and tap the starter motor, not hard, just medium. Sometimes this will cause the starter motor to catch next time you turn the key. Best bet is to remove the starter motor (with solenoid attached) and take it to an Auto Zone type store where they can check it out for you. Be dure you disconnect the ground terminal of the battery before you attempt to remove the starter motor.
Hope this helps Good luck loringh PS Please leave a rating for me if appropriate Thks
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