Starter motor solenoid wiring query

[trunt]

are you sure you dont just have a problem with the small terminal that supplies power (12volts) to the coil from the solenoid when the starter is cranking, if this is damaged then?

the tab on the left.

The clue was when Tony said that the starter had different terminals.. Its not a Stag Starter so probably doesn’t have the contacts.

[DJT]

Virtually every car out there on the world's roads has a starter motor with a solenoid fitted, including the two modern German cars on my drive. Either you misunderstood him, or he isn't an automotive electrician.

[Rigid]

Just to hijack this a little.
How can I test that my starter solenoid is working?

I can supply 12V and test voltages / resistances but nothing I've tried so far has made the solenoid 'click'.
Whole assy was dis-assembled to clean the main solenoid contacts and replace the 4x big motor brushes.

Concerned I might have melted a winding.

TIA
Richard

[trunt]

If the winding is OK you should see a low resistance, not short, from the solenoid terminal( white/red wire) to ground. Otherwise could it be seized at the mechanical end?

[Rigid]

Thanks Terry - is there a way to make the solenoid fire?

[trunt]

Thanks Terry - is there a way to make the solenoid fire?

It should fire if you put 12v on the white/red terminal with a ground to the body of the starter. It won’t spin but should kick the solenoid in.

Edit- I’m assuming it’s not on the car!

[Rigid]

Thanks again Terry.
It looks like i'll need to open the solenoid up again to check that the bridge between the tab and the bolt is in place.
The motor spins with the appropriate connections but nothing doing with the solenoid.

Richard.