Starter wiring?

[Jeepwm69]

Took the starter off of Dad's 83 GMC, 305, SM465 tranny. There was one big terminal in the middle of the solenoid that had two rings/wires on it, and ONE smaller terminal on the drivers side of the solenoid that had a small wire going to it.

The replacement starter I got from autozone had the main terminal on the solenoid, but TWO smaller terminals, one on either side of the big one. I put the small wire first on the drivers side terminal (nothing) and then moved the small wire to the other small terminal (still nothing).

Drove 25 min to the nearest autozone to see if they had another part #, and they didn't.

Anyone know why the original starter only had two posts on the solenoid while the new one has 3? How do I wire this thing?

Thanks

[James McClure]

Jeep. The replacement starter has a terminal for engins with point ign systems. Don't worry about it. The term you need is the inboard one (usually marked "S") thats where the purple wire goes. If it fails to work probe the purple wire with key in crank mode. Work your way back up the line. The clutch switch may be bad or the ign switch.

[Jeepwm69]

Thanks for the help. I'll poke around and see what I find.
The old starter did work, but it made a clicking sound while cranking, and didn't want to go when the truck was hot.

Wasn't a totally busted night, the guy at autozone salivated over my CJ7 (Jeep) and kept saying "you sure you don't want to sell it?"

[Jeepwm69]

There are two little "fingers" on the end of the wire that slide into spots on the big starter terminal. I guess last night I didn't get those into their proper spots so they were holding the wire up and keeping it from tightening down all the way. Got it on this morning and it works great.

Thanks for the help. That 3rd terminal had me scratching my head.