MF-230 clicking after solenoid replacement...

[ChronicCodez]

I just replaced the solenoid on my mf230 but it won't turn over. When I turn the key the solenoid clicks. I took a screwdriver and jumped the two big leads on the solenoid and the starter spun.

I almost always take pictures of parts before removing to serve as a reference if I run into trouble...but this time I didn't. My new solenoid has four poles and I can't remember if the old one had three or four. From what I understand the "R" pole is optional...?

any suggestions?...

 

[ChronicCodez]

bad ground maybe?

 

[pat32rf]

I take it that your solenoid has two large and two small posts?

 

[ChronicCodez]

yeah, two big and two small. Oh and I said before that it was "clicking" well it actually clicks once. I used a meter from the "S" solenoid pole to ground, when I turn the ignition switch I am getting a reading of 10.5 volts. I also moved the main ground cable from the battery thinking I might have a bad ground.

Should I start worrying about my starter? If it spun when I jumped the poles with a screwdriver could I rule that out?

 

[mitch becton]

the "s" post is the one that comes from the key switch to the starter are you sure with the screw driver you went from the 2 big post which should be a '+' and a '-' this should possibly make it turn over and if you held it there with the key switch turned on it possibly will crank also the voltage power at the 's' terminal should be much higher thean 10.6 possibly you have a dead or dying battery have you tried boosting it off and does this make it crank normally again possibly bad battery or ground problem also part of my computer system is off tonight for repair cannot look up your application but what you are describing is a delco solenoid used on mid size to large delco starters also where did you get the solenoid what supplier

 

[ChronicCodez]

hmm I didn't think I'd need to hold the key switch "on" while using the screwdriver. When you say 'boosting' do you mean with jumper cables? If so then yes. I was fooling around with ground cables earlier thinking the 10.6 was a little low.

I bought the solenoid through a local AGCO dealer.

 

[ChronicCodez]

Well I figured it out. I replaced all wiring with solid copper with good connections. At first this still didn't work; But after trying to jump the two big poles of solenoid it sparked real hard and sort of fused the ground I guess because now it works with the key every time.

Thanks guys for the help!