Problems starting

[synds9]

Okay i took my bronco to the exhaust shop after having it started for the very first time.. was driving it off the trailer.. then a puff of smoke came out from under the hood so i turned it off.. wires were hot. so i got her home today (via tow truck). replaced the starter solenoid (that's the general area the smoke came from).. the starter cranked.. and then it stopped.. and the voltage regulator just clicked and shaked everytime the key was turned.... after that i replaced the starter solenoid and the resistor stone, then put the ground on the other side of the starter solenoid.. she started, she ran for 15 minutes (when i turned her off) but she kept running.. then finally stopped after about 20 seconds or so. well i tried to start again afterwards and now the starter solenoid just clicks and shakes.. what gives?

btw i don't know if it matters but it's a '74, 302, not efi, and a new centech wiring harness

[smurfsdad]

There is NO ground to the solenoid.

[synds9]

figured it all out while learning quite alot as well :D

now the problem is the battery won't hold a charge :confused: i'm guessing it has something to do with the voltage regulator

[bigredford04]

could just be a bad battery....put a volt meter on your battery posts while the truck is running...it should stay steady 13-14 volts, if its bouncy (12-15) the regulator is bad, if its steady less than 13 your alternator could be bad. Any of these can be checked for you @ a local auto parts store.

[synds9]

that would suck, everything is brand new :confused: no time to play tonight... thanks i'll look into it tommorow :beer: