I have a problem with the wires that go to my starter on my 71 chevelle. When I turn the switch on, one of my wires to the starter is hot all the time. I think it should just be hot when you turn the switch all the way to the start position. I installed the ss dash and all new harnesses including dash, forward harness and the harness that goes to the starter.Like I said if I turn the key on and touch the wire to the solenoid it kicks in. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks

Which wire?
The purple wire should only be hot when the key is in the start position but the yellow wire will be hot with the key in the run position.

Your right the yellow is hot when the switch is on but the purple wire is not hot when you turn the key to the start position. I am trying to install a 3 hp mini starter on this big block but it only has one spade terminal on it. Which wire should I connect to the spade terminal and what should I do with the other wire. Thanks for the response. Harryschevelle

The purple wire should be hot when the key is in the start position as it sends power to the starter’s “S” terminal to energize the solenoid.
It gets power from the neutral safety switch (or clutch safety switch), which in turn gets power from the ignition switch during key in “start” position.

Originally the yellow wire’s job was to bypass the resistive wire going to the coil’s + terminal and send a full 12 volts to the coil only during starter operation.
IF the car no longer has the original points type distributor but has an ignition system designed to operate on 12 volts rather than the original 9 volts, then the yellow wire is not needed and can be disconnected completely.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s228/deancall/Team/68_starter.jpg

IF the car still has the original points type distributor, the yellow bypass wire needs to be utilized BUT some aftermarket starters do not have an “R” terminal for it so it has to be connected to the “S” terminal along with the purple wire but it has to have a diode in series to keep voltage from feeding back from the coil and keeping the starter solenoid energized during “key in run” position.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s228/deancall/Team/ministart_WITH_DIODE.jpg

Don't forget fuses on wires coming off the battery!

Ron

When I purchase the new harness that goes to the dist and starter I had it made with the HEI so what you are saying is I can just not use the yellow wire correct? I am wondering if maybe my problem is in my neutral safety switch and that is why the purple wire is not getting hot in the start position. Harry

When I purchase the new harness that goes to the dist and starter I had it made with the HEI so what you are saying is I can just not use the yellow wire correct? I am wondering if maybe my problem is in my neutral safety switch and that is why the purple wire is not getting hot in the start position. Harry

Could be..
Put a trouble light or voltmeter on the switch and see if it works when your in neutral...

Don't forget fuses on wires coming off the battery!

Ron
GOOD POINT :thumbsup:
I should have drawn in fuses. :o
When I purchase the new harness that goes to the dist and starter I had it made with the HEI so what you are saying is I can just not use the yellow wire correct? I am wondering if maybe my problem is in my neutral safety switch and that is why the purple wire is not getting hot in the start position. Harry

That is correct, the yellow bypass wire is not needed at all with the HEI or any ignition system requiring 12 volts, like I said.

Check for 12 volt power going into > and power coming out of > the safety switch with the shifter in park or neutral.

Thanks Dean and the rest of your guys, I found the problem. I put a jumper wire on the harness where in plugs in to the safety switch and I have power to the purple wire now when I turn key to starting positon when in park. I must have a bad safety switch again thanks for all your help. Harryschevelle

Don't forget fuses on wires coming off the battery!

Ron

Fuse the cable between the battery and the starter??? Is that what you are saying?

Fuse the cable between the battery and the starter??? Is that what you are saying?

No, all the low current <50A lines should be fused, but not the starter! That's why it's the dangerous line, it has no fuse. Great for starting fires. Run it carefully so it is well protected from melting or rubbing.

Ron

Ron,

I didn't think you were including the battery cable to the starter in your precaution.. just wanted to clarify for others reading the post. Your other thread with the O'scope traces shows lots O current as a surge.... difficult to fuse that, yes?

The yellow resistor wire being referred to is in fact a yellow cloth sleeve, no? I was looking over this post to get my wiring straight and the purple is obvious, but running beside it is this yellow cloth covered one. :)

If you did purchase your wiring harness modified for an HEI as you say you did, it should not have had the yellow wire included. Who was it purchased from?

The yellow resistor wire being referred to is in fact a yellow cloth sleeve, no?
No
I was looking over this post to get my wiring straight and the purple is obvious, but running beside it is this yellow cloth covered one. :)

The yellow bypass wire is a regular wire from coil to starter's "R" terminal.

The cloth covered looking wire is the resistive wire.
It looks dirty white to me but might look yellowish on some cars, I don't know. :confused:
I think the covering is heat resistant, maybe asbestos ? :confused:

Yes, its yellowish/white - this wire was hooked to the R terminal by previous owner. Obviously it was serving no purpose. Thanks.

Is a points type distributor with a Petronix kit (No Points) a 12 volt system? In other words, since I'm not using points can I omit the yellow wire?

Thanks.

John Ladd
Burbank, CA

One other thing;
It won't hurt anything to use the bypass wire even if it isn't actually needed.

Does the Petronix kit require 12 volts?