starter won't turn, which wire is for starter solenoid?

[stevensj13]

Hey guys, recently after doing some work in the dash my truck developed a problem where when you turn the key, nothing happens. the starter doesn't turn. lame. The trigger wire on the solenoid that runs up to the dash is all grimey and discolored so I'm having trouble tracing it into the dash. Does anyone know which wire in the dash is the 12v positive wire that runs to the starter solenoid? I really need to get it running today since I'm leaving for NY sunday and hope to sell the truck tomorrow. BTW the truck is a 1977 C10 stepside. heres a pic of the wire on the solenoid:

[vegadesign]

from the solenoid the wire should be purple, going in through the firewall it changes to brown/white

other than the power wire(red)

the wire running from the solenoid to the coil/ignition is white-green-purple
and after running through the fire wall is pink

hope that was some help

[stevensj13]

Originally Posted by vegadesign

from the solenoid the wire should be purple, going in through the firewall it changes to brown/white

other than the power wire(red)

the wire running from the solenoid to the coil/ignition is white-green-purple
and after running through the fire wall is pink

hope that was some help

Thanks for the tips but the wire colors on my truck are different and I have an HEI distributer, with the coil in the cap. I just dug around and found that the wire in the engine compartment attached to the solenoid (to activate it) is a blueish greenish color, however I don't know what color it is after it goes through the fuse box in the dash. Anyone know?

[ont_guy_38]

not sure of the color but it's the wire that comes off your neutral safety switch. I always thought it was purple all the way through but never really paid attention.

[stevensj13]

Originally Posted by ont_guy_38

not sure of the color but it's the wire that comes off your neutral safety switch.

What does the neutral safety switch look like and where can I find it? Does it connect to the instrument cluster by chance? the needle for my indicator on what gear I'm in broke, so I don't even have that in the cluster.

[ont_guy_38]

It is on your steering column about 1/2 way down. it will have 2 thicker wires on it, they are the ones that go to your starter and I believe 2 thinner wires that control your reverse lights

[ont_guy_38]

Originally Posted by ont_guy_38

It is on your steering column about 1/2 way down. it will have 2 thicker wires on it, they are the ones that go to your starter and I believe 2 thinner wires that control your reverse lights

All I can find right now, 155 & 156 are the wires you need. If anything just hook them together and see if it starts.

[stevensj13]

Originally Posted by ont_guy_38

It is on your steering column about 1/2 way down. it will have 2 thicker wires on it, they are the ones that go to your starter and I believe 2 thinner wires that control your reverse lights

Okay Cool thanks. I'm gonna go see if I can find the switch. There are 2 loose wires that may have been touching when I bought the truck. A thick purple and a thick purple with a white strip. maybe these came from the switch and now that I clipped the ends and tied them off seperate theres no connection and it won't start? Who knows. hopefully I can figure it out

[ont_guy_38]

Found a good picture.

[stevensj13]

Thanks for all the pics and advice, I'm finally getting somewhere with this thing! I went out there, found 2 things on the steering column. One small box with big wires going to it, and a smaller box down by the firewall that looks much more like the box in the pic. it has the same two small wires in the connector, and 2 empty prongs.

Here are the only two big disconnected wires in the dash, which are purple and purple with white stripe. the two in the pic you posted are also purple


Heres the random box I found

Heres the one that I think is the switch I'm looking for







So all in all I'm thinking the two purple/purple with white wires need to be connected for it to start

[ont_guy_38]

yup thats what you have to do...just hook them back up and your good

[stevensj13]

Originally Posted by ont_guy_38

yup thats what you have to do...just hook them back up and your good

Cool. I'll give it a shot and let you know if it works or if my truck burns in an electrical fire

[ont_guy_38]

If they were disconnected before it's possible the switch is no good. You can just hook them together for now if the switch doesn't work but keep in mind it will start in any gear.

[stevensj13]

Originally Posted by ont_guy_38

If they were disconnected before it's possible the switch is no good. You can just hook them together for now if the switch doesn't work but keep in mind it will start in any gear.

Yeah true. I'll just make sure I'm in the right gear when I start it

[stevensj13]

She's running good now, I connected the purple and purple/white wires and bypassed the switch. Thanks for all the help!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy6cj...ature=youtu.be

[ont_guy_38]

Glad to see that fixed it

[motornut]

my 78 is both purple
79 has a yellow...
carefull driving it like that