Hi, I;m new around here. I have a 1990 Mustang LX 5.0 I'm inheriting from my father after its sat for 7 years. It has 140k on it, needs about every maintenance item, but ran strong when stored. I jumped it on Wednesday and it ran strong so I figured I'd start fixing the apparent items first. The battery cable had exposed wiring. When I replaced the positive cable, the post on the solenoid was very brittle and popped right off. New solenoid and cables in place, I go to jump the car and everything electrical turns on -- windshield wipers, radio speakers (even though radio is off), interior lights, you name it. I take off all cables except just the positive and negative to the solenoid and it does the same thing. I went back and replaced the solenoid, but same thing. If I remember right, an old Buick I used to work on had something similar happen with the starter being messed up. Should I start next with replacing the starter? At this point, I cannot even hook up a jump start since it ends up sparking all over, leading me to believe something is powering up that should be. The battery is constantly draining when left connected. Any help would be appreciated.... Also, is there a correct order to the additional wires on the solenoid that I should be aware of? Thanks.

 

if you jump the starter its going to spark. Thats what I would do first.

Make sure that the soleniod is grounded properly... make sure that its tight up against wherever you have it bolted to and make sure its somewhat clean behind it, thats the ground for it.

 

are you sure you hooked up the solenoid right. i wired up my solenoid wrong and had problems starting(starter stayed engaged) pics would help to.

 

 

Yeah and if you cross up some of those connections it will also spark...