1947 Starter/Solenoid

[Jeff Trahan]

Trying to get the starter working so I can fire up my newly-rebuilt flathead engine.

I don't know how to wire up the starter and solenoid to bench test them both at the same time.  I found a photo on another post and copied it here.

When I put positive from the battery to the pole of the starter and the negative from the battery on the starter flange, the starter spins great.

But how do I bench test the solenoid?  One way I tried got the solenoid to engage but the ground strap got really hot really fast!  Another way I tried caused the solenoid to chatter.

In the attached photo, where do the wires from each of the small connectors on the solenoid go during a bench test?

Thanks for the help.

Jeff Trahan

[Steve Passmore]

To make everything work at once (make sure you have the starter clamped in a vice) 
Connect positive to the pole that does NOT have the brass strap,
Negative to the flange. (Ground)
Loop another small wire from the positive to one of the small terminals on the solenoid.
Attach a small wire to the other small terminal and touch to ground.  Everything should work. Solenoid should energize, engage the drive, make contact and spin Armature.

To test just the solenoid.   Positive and negative wires to the two small terminals on the solenoid only. Solenoid should energize and throw in the drive but no rotation of Armature should happen.

[Jeff Trahan]

Thank you very much, Steve.  Your directions worked beautifully.