What starter solinoid do I need?

[glennpm]

So, if I am negative ground and I'm leaving it 12v and have the keyed ignition now but want to wire it so I can use the starter button on the dash, can I wire it up so the key goes to the on position for energizing the coil and then use the starter button to start the starter?

The easiest way to do this is to use a Starter Solenoid for a 1937-51 Ford Truck or 1937-48 Ford Car. These solenoids work with a dash button that grounds the solenoid wiring coil.

https://www.dennis-carpenter.com/trucks/electrical/starter/01a-11450-starter-solenoid-switch

If you use the solenoid you just bought, Then the mounting tabs and bolting must be isolated from ground. You would need to have a piece of rubber under the mounting tabs and plastic bolting for example, like those available for mounting license plates. Then a wire or ring terminal under the plastic bolt head. This wire would then go to the one wire push button for grounding and activating the solenoid. The wire to the S terminal on the solenoid must be a fused 12V source.

 

[signsup]

So if I use the solinoid pictured above with the three posts, presume post 3 from battery is the positive battery cable? Post 1 goes to starter, the solinoid itself is not grounded externally by mounting to firewall, and post 2 is a lead to the starter button on the dash. All other electrical would work as currently installed? This seems like a simple set up to accomplish and would give me my desired effect of a military on/off switch and the starter dash button. Still tracking two wires from current solinoid set up, one is single wire to keyed ignition but other enters a loom with other wiring harness wires and will need som volt meter work to ID. Any thoughts on what a second wire from the same post as the keyed ignition start wire would be? I cannot think of another item that would only be energized during the start position. I could remove one at a time and see what stops working, I suppose.

 

[glennpm]

So if I use the solinoid pictured above with the three posts, presume post 3 from battery is the positive battery cable?

Yes

Post 1 goes to starter, the solinoid itself is not grounded externally by mounting to firewall, and post 2 is a lead to the starter button on the dash.

Yes

All other electrical would work as currently installed? This seems like a simple set up to accomplish and would give me my desired effect of a military on/off switch and the starter dash button.

Yes except the extra wire, probably the green

Still tracking two wires from current solinoid set up, one is single wire to I could remove one at a time and see what stops working, I suppose.

That's what I was thinking too! Check the green and purple for voltage with the ignition switch on and off, then again with the key held in the "start" position, also check for continuity to ground for each.

Glenn

 

[Bored&Stroked]

You have a solenoid that uses +12 to actuate it (from the ignition switch) . . . not a ground connection from the original dash button. Ken gave you a part number for another type of solenoid that uses a ground signal to actuate it. If you switch over, then you will NOT be using the keyed ignition switch any longer.

You still need to determine why you have 2 wires going to the current solenoid and WHERE they come from. I highly recommend you purchase a voltmeter such that you can actually trouble-shoot stuff. You shouldn't just be connecting wires in various places - not knowing what they do or where they come from. Just trying to help you out here.

That is just asking to create a short condition and potentially a big spark or even a fire.

 

[Ken/Alabama]

So, if I am negative ground and I'm leaving it 12v and have the keyed ignition now but want to wire it so I can use the starter button on the dash, can I wire it up so the key goes to the on position for energizing the coil and then use the starter button to start the starter? Or is the botton only set up to complete the ground and will not handle 12 v positive going through it? It's not a deal breaker, but I would like to go with the military on/off switch for power to coil and the starter button to start the car. Most era military vehicles would have the military on/off switch and then a foot starter switch on the floor or a push rod to the starter to activate and engage the bendix. Don't need actual wiring instructions, just wondering if the dash button with handle the set up I am envisioning.

The Standard Products SS587 would allow for the push button on the dash and separate ignition switch. The button on the dash just grounds the small terminal on the solenoid to energize it.

 

[Bored&Stroked]

Hey Glen, I would not recommend that he attempt to use the solenoid that he has and make the case "float" - then ground it with his push button . . . this is just asking for an issue with it mistakenly getting grounded and then the starter just keeps on running. I would buy the proper solenoid that Ken mentioned - this is the only safe way to go.

 

[glennpm]

Hey Glen, I would not recommend that he attempt to use the solenoid that he has and make the case "float" - then ground it with his push button . . . this is just asking for an issue with it mistakenly getting grounded and then the starter just keeps on running. I would buy the proper solenoid that Ken mentioned - this is the only safe way to go.

Totally agree, I was telling signsup what he had to do if he kept the solenoid he just bought in error!