Starter solenoid kicks in when negative cable connected to battery 92 2600i

Jonbvel

I installed a new starter and when I connected negative cable to battery, the solenoid would start working.
I bench tested it prior to installing it, checked the wires on solenoid if they are touching and they were not.
I can’t find a starter relay, not sure if there’s one.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thank you.

Cusser

OK, so the starter bench test worked perfectly? The gear moved into position and the starter motor turned?
If so, with small solenoid wire disconnected, check for positive voltage there with ignition off and with ignition in the "run" position, should be none.

On some starters, folks confuse the solenoid terminal which goes directly to the starter with the similar-looking terminal where the main battery cable should go.

Jonbvel

Cusser
Starter worked during bench test.
I will do what you said this weekend and update you.
I appreciate your time and reply.
Thanks.

Jonbvel

Cusser
I removed the middle terminal and poked it with a tester then placed negative of tester to negative of battery and it showed 12.5V.
Same result with ignition in ON position.

Cusser

Jonbvel I removed the middle terminal and poked it with a tester then placed negative of tester to negative of battery and it showed 12.5V.
Same result with ignition in ON position.

If that wire which goes to the small terminal of the solenoid has positive voltage in any key position other than the "Start" position, sounds like an issue with the electrical part of the ignition switch. Sounds like you'd need to (1) take apart and try to fix/clean that electrical part of the ignition switch (2) replace that electrical part of the ignition switch or (3) interrupt the power in that wire with a momentary toggle switch of sufficient amps.

Axel-Breaker-Earl

So, was the truck cranking and running normally before you replaced the Starter? If YES, then make sure that you have the ignition switch key, turned ALL the way OFF. There should be NO POWER on the smaller Solenoid wire where it connects to the solenoid.

If the truck is new to YOU......then make sure a previous owner didn't wire in a toggle switch somewhere near the steering wheel to replace or rewire a malfunctioning ignition switch.

Can you take some pictures of the wire connections at the starter & solenoid and post them here?

Jonbvel

Axel-Breaker-Earl
The truck was running before I pulled out motor and rebuilt it. I changed the starter just to have a new one in since I’m working on it. I will take pictures later today.
No toggle switch everything is original wiring.
Thank you.

Axel-Breaker-Earl

Jonbvel The truck was running before I pulled out motor and rebuilt it.

This sounds like you may have connected some wiring wrong when you installed the engine, OR, the new starter is bad indeed!

Jonbvel

Cusser ok thank you much.

Jonbvel

Axel-Breaker-Earl
I will check but I just followed the way the wires are and connected them according to terminals where they fit.

I also connected my old starter using the 2 wires that I disconnected from new starter with a clamp wire and without bolting the old starter on motor, connected a ground on it and connected it to battery . The old starter’s solenoid also kicked in. I did this to rule out if the new starter is a defective one.

Jonbvel

I forgot to mention when I removed the wire on the middle terminal, and tested it for voltage which showed it has power, I tried connecting battery terminals and the starter solenoid still kicked in with the two wires connected on the starter.

Axel-Breaker-Earl

Can you post a picture of the starter and it's wire connections?