1971 c-10, new starter, and wont turn

[outlawedchevy]

Howdy! I am new here and have read through many of the threads, and you guys can give some great advice. I am hoping you can help here. I had an old rebuilt starter that went bad, took it to Kragen and they hooked me up with a new one. Threw it in, and made sure I reconnected everything the way it is supposed to be and it wont start. Wont even make a sound. Charged the battery, that was fine, still nothin? I called up the schematics for this particular starter to double check my connections and I was ok, checked the fuses, and they were ok as well......any avice is very helpful.

[lowriden58]

check to make sure you are getting power to the starter first.

[outlawedchevy]

New at this please forgive,
through the battery pos cable or the ignition wire?

[Critter]

Is it possible that this starter was bad from the store? I have had it happen before when buying a rebuilt starter especially.

Assuming it is good, then you have three wires to deal with (if you still have factory coil ignition, only 2 wires if you have changed to HEI). I would start by checking the main battery cable connection at the battery and the other end on the big terminal of the starter. If they are tight then look at the smaller wires. You should have a wire (sorry I forget what color it should be from the factory) that gets 12 Volts when you turn the key to the start position. It will hook to the small terminal on the starter labled "S" for start.

The third wire, assuming you still have the factory coil ignition setup it the purple wire. It will hook up to the "I" terminal on the starter. This runs up to your ignition system.

You might want to recheck to make sure the "I" and "S" wires are correct, I have seen lots of people mix them up.

Have you used a test light or 12V meter to check the "start" wire at the starter? Like I said, you should have 12V at the terminal when you turn the key to "start". Hope this helps some.

[outlawedchevy]

Thank you, I will go double check the termianls. I have R and an S terminals. And only one wire (blue aligator) that runs from the coil. Be back shortly.

[Critter]

Originally Posted by outlawedchevy

Thank you, I will go double check the termianls. I have R and an S terminals. And only one wire (blue aligator) that runs from the coil. Be back shortly.

Yeah some are that way. "R" = "resistance" = "I"

If you only have one wire and it runs up to the coil then that is the I or R wire. You should have another one that comes from under the dash and through the firewall. Here is a diagram that I found elsewhere on the web that might help. It reminded me about the Neutral Safetly Switch. Auto transmission trucks have them.

[outlawedchevy]

Thanks again for your help. I tightened the connections and that seemed to help. It began to turn over but sounded very sluggish and the battery died (brand new battery). Jumped it, and still not enough power to turn over....what do you think?

[outlawedchevy]

Critter, thanks for your help and the diagram, it helped alot. Still cant get enough power to start, my have to charge battery, do youhave an other ideas? Thanks again

[Critter]

Originally Posted by outlawedchevy

Thanks again for your help. I tightened the connections and that seemed to help. It began to turn over but sounded very sluggish and the battery died (brand new battery). Jumped it, and still not enough power to turn over....what do you think?

I think you have a bad/old/corroded battery cable. It isn't letting enough power get to the starter. Don't forget to check the negative cable as well. Voltage has to travel away from the battery AND back to it to make the complete circuit. If either of them are bad then it could make your starter drag.

[outlawedchevy]

Thanks, I wil replace and let you know, i do appreciate your advice!

[sjarrett71]

Make sure it's shimmed correctly. If it's too tight against the flywheel it will bind. Best thing you could do is replace the battery cables though if they are old. Remember to make a good clean connection for your ground cable. Take sand paper and clean the area real good then wipe the rust dust off with a towel and parts cleaner.