87 5.0 Electrical Help Yellow Starter Solenoid Wire
03-15-2017, 06:16 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 2
87 5.0 Electrical Help Yellow Starter Solenoid Wire
Hey Guys,
New to forums as I recently bought a 1987 5.0 project.
The car has been running fine , until today.
The car car will start immediately, but will die instantly IF I DO NOT KEEP THE KEY INTO CRANK POSITION. I've read around, and I have learned that most all of these similar issues are fixed with a loose ground wire somewhere. I can't find a loose ground wire BUT , I have discovered (in the mess of in clipped harnesses that appear to be useless ) a single solid and thicker yellow wire that appears to be broken. It looks like it goes to the starter solenoid through the firewall but under the dash , it's attached to nothing. My question is, could this cause this issue and if so, where the HECK if anywhere does this yellow wire attach ?
Any help would be great!
New to forums as I recently bought a 1987 5.0 project.
The car has been running fine , until today.
The car car will start immediately, but will die instantly IF I DO NOT KEEP THE KEY INTO CRANK POSITION. I've read around, and I have learned that most all of these similar issues are fixed with a loose ground wire somewhere. I can't find a loose ground wire BUT , I have discovered (in the mess of in clipped harnesses that appear to be useless ) a single solid and thicker yellow wire that appears to be broken. It looks like it goes to the starter solenoid through the firewall but under the dash , it's attached to nothing. My question is, could this cause this issue and if so, where the HECK if anywhere does this yellow wire attach ?
Any help would be great!
03-16-2017, 07:16 AM
#2
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 5,061
If it's a factory wire, you'll need to dig up, find a wiring schematic and trace that wire.
Or is this the handy work of a previous owner running a wire to who knows what ?
And just out of curiosity, have you ever replaced the ignition switch ? They don't have a good reputation.
Welcome to the forum by the way,glad to have you.
Or is this the handy work of a previous owner running a wire to who knows what ?
And just out of curiosity, have you ever replaced the ignition switch ? They don't have a good reputation.
Welcome to the forum by the way,glad to have you.
03-16-2017, 07:23 AM
#3
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 2
It COULD be the work of a previous, giving the wiring that's in access in others. I've only had the car for a short period, so I haven't changed the ignition switch yet.
Im wondering though, if that wire does in fact go from the switch to the starter relay -- would the car even start at all, specifically while it was in crank position and I can hear the starter grinding.
Im wondering though, if that wire does in fact go from the switch to the starter relay -- would the car even start at all, specifically while it was in crank position and I can hear the starter grinding.
03-16-2017, 07:33 AM
#4
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 5,061
The starter relay is just a big "on" or "off" switch. If you turn the key and the starter cranks the motor over and disengages when the key is released, then I'd think all is good there. I'd then look at the ignition switch, mounted on the steering column by your knees. They are a known problem area. If you take it off and it rattles, they're usually the culprit.
03-16-2017, 08:45 AM
#5
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: NC
Posts: 2,166
Sounds more like ignition switch issue. Those big yellow wires on the starter solenoid are battery power leads to a lot of stuff in the car. I want to say there is about 3 or 4 of them. Most go to the ignition switch too. Then run to fuse box. Best bet is to pull a wiring diagram and trace your wires.