Just got an 81 Bronco and it's burning up starter solenoids.

[ho7]

I just got this bronco. On the two middle posts only one of them has a wire connected. The red wire with a cap is the only one. Isn't there supposed to be another wire on the other little post. The big ends on the sides have the power to the battery on one side and a ground to the frame or starter on the other side. It seems like the bonco is burning up solenoids. I just installed a new one and it cranked a few times and then died again and wouln't start. What do you guys think? My negative battery cable is ratty looking and I'm going to replace it today.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v214/nhodierne/81bronco2.jpg

[Traveller]

Some Ford vehicle use both small terminals on the solenoid, some use only one. If it's engaging the starter when you turn the ignition you are hooked up right. You might want to make sure your starter isn't bad. A warn out starter can take three times as much power to crank as a new one, and all that amperage is tough on the solenoid.

[broncobuster37]

I have an 84 and I know that my solenoid only required that one red wire be connected. Anyways the problem sounds like your starter and not your solenoid. Replace the motor, it's not that expensive (mine was only $45) with a Limited Lifetime Warranty.

[bremen242]

V8s solenoids will have 2 small posts on them; 6s only have 1. For some reason, a inline 6 solenoid won't start a V8. That is what I found out when I swapped in a 351W. weird.

btw, the push on terminal only fits one of the posts, ie the right one.

[ho7]

Thanks guys I think I got it firgured out. My battery was leaking & dripping on the neg battery cable. So I replaced both and it seems to be good now.

[82F100SWB]

Bremen: That's just plain fawked... I've never seen such a thing... I've had no less than 3 different engines in my 81 F100, a 302, 2 sixes and a 351w, and the only issue I've had with the solenoid is that it nearly melted down trying to start the 351 on a hot start once(heat soaked starter and a nearly seized engine, positive cable to the batt melted the covering off too LOL...)

The solenoid on my 460 is off of a 300 also... I just remembered that I kept the one that was on the fender when I dropped the body on...

[bremen242]

I thought it was fawked too. but it didn't work with the 300 one.. I would think that it was bad, but I heard someone else had the same trouble.. I guess the 300 solenoid was just boogered up or something..

[broncobuster37]

I burned up the solenoid on my 300. At first I thought it was just the solenoid, but the second solenoid I threw in there melted not only itself but the positive battery cable and then some. Starter gear got stuck and kept cranking, as to the compatability of the V-8 to I-6 solenoids, I have not a clue.

[demonranger]

the little posts are for 2 purposes 1 for the trigger wire to start and the 2nd is a ground wire for cases where whatever it's mounted to might not be grounded well enough for the electrical circuits. Ford typically used only 1 wire and grounded it through the body. Most auto parts stores use the 2 little pole option so they only have to stock one solenoid.

[82F100SWB]

The second small pole is not a ground wire in all cases. If it's marked I, it's hot in start, used for ignition retard way back when. On my 86 F250, it was used to power up the fuel system during cranking.

[collinsperformance]

the relay is the same part number for each motor size. i found two different styles of relay side post and front post. i had much better luck with front pots. mine is a 83 and it uses one of the small posts (it is for the keyswitch starter signal from the ign key system)...mike