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Conference unifix::sailing

Title:SAILING
Notice:Please read Note 2.* before participating in this conference
Moderator:UNIFIX::BERENS
Created:Wed Jul 01 1992
Last Modified:Mon Jun 02 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:2299
Total number of notes:20724

1713.0. "Help on solenoid (starter)?" by BOSTP2::BEAU () Sun Apr 28 1991 20:11

    I'm repairing a Westerbeke Vire engine (ain't I always!??)
    and have found the following problem:  the starter solenoid
    (which looks like one off a model a ford) starts fine.  The
    starter motor turns over great.  However, I'm getting power 
    out of the switched side of the solenoin, even when the 
    key is not in the start podition (I'm told this was
    why my starter may have been burned out..the entrance to 
    this saga..)
    
    I went to the local auto store and picked up a plain brown
    wrapper starter solenoid.  I installed it, and can't for the
    life of me get it operating.  The question:  There are two
    small connections on the solenoid )in the front, not the hot
    wire connections on the sides).  One is market "s" and one
    is marked "I". Since the old solenoid didn't have these
    markings, how am I to know which is the ground and wihch is the 
    wire from the key?  Could "I" stand for ignition?  If so, 
    why the "S"?  Also, how much different are one solenoid from
    another?  I always thought they were an electromagnet which
    allowed juice to pass through when the magnet was engaged.
    Is there more to it than that?  Also, how in the blazes do you
    check out the new one to see if it is a reject?
    
    Thanks!
    
    Beau
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
1713.1some help?MSCSSE::BERENSAlan BerensMon Apr 29 1991 13:2125
re .0:

Warning: What follows is from memory of more than 10 years ago, so I may 
not be accurate.

The coil in a Ford starter solenoid has one end connected to the case 
and the other end to the S terminal. The I terminal is connected to the 
starter motor terminal on the solenoid. An automotive ignition system 
normally has a (ballast) resistor in series with the ignition coil to 
limit the coil current during normal operation. When starting this 
resistor is bypassed by supplying the ignition coil from the I terminal.
This is done to increase the coil voltage and hence spark when the 
battery voltage falls during engine cranking. The Ford solenoid should 
operate if you connect the S terminal to the positive battery terminal 
and the solenoid case to the negative battery terminal. I don't recall 
how or where the Vire's solenoid is connected, but you should be able to 
use the Ford solenoid with a little creativity. When far from a 
Westerbeke dealer I recall buying a Ford solenoid to replace the one on
our Vire (this was more than 10 years ago) and I don't recall how I got
it to work or whether I resorted to the rope pull starter (I rather
think I got the solenoid to work). 

Cheers,

Alan
1713.2By George you did it!BOSTP2::BEAUTue Apr 30 1991 17:0712
    Alan...that was the answer!  I grounded the solenoid chassis
    to the negative side and presto, I had power out the switched
    end of the unit.  I was all set to take it back last night
    and figured why not try it in the house (not standing on
    my head in the engine compartment of the C&C).  
    
    Thanks for the suggestion...BTW if you want to delete the
    entry, I'm done with it (chalk up another success for the
    notes file!!)
    
    Beau