Starter wiring problems ~help~ - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

EJ · 09-06-2002, 08:42 PM

Hey all,
I have a question I was hoping someone would have the answer to. The starter on my truck "72 Chevy " has three wires going to it, one being the battery cable of course and the others a small yellow on pass side of solenoid and a bigger purple one on drivers side. now when I turn my key switch to the acc I get power to the yellow on but when I turn my key to the start position I get nothing on the purple wire. Shouldn't I get some power there ?

my new 72 · 09-06-2002, 09:00 PM

Yes the big purple wire should get power.

1971LT1SWBPOSI373 · 09-07-2002, 12:49 AM

Hmmm, my print doesn't show the yellow wire to the starter, but it does show the purple. It appears that the wire should only have power when the key is in the start position. Does that help????

Longhorn Man · 09-07-2002, 01:10 AM

The purple wire is the signal from the ignition switch. It energises the relay that spins the motor on the starter.
The yellow (which is stock) sends a full 12 volts to the coil so it can get a better spark to start easier. As soon as the key is released, the yellow wire is dead, and the coil is only getting the 8 or what ever volts it needs.

1971LT1SWBPOSI373 · 09-07-2002, 01:27 AM

Thanks Andy, that all sounds right... i just couldn't see it on my print. for some reason, they left out the yellow wire. I have to admit.... you do know your sh!t !!!!!!! TJ

EJ · 09-07-2002, 10:23 AM

Thank you for your help guys,

I guess I need to trace the purple wire and see why im not getting any voltage from it. EJ

09-06-2002, 08:42 PM	#1
EJ Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: El Dorado Springs, MO Posts: 227	Starter wiring problems ~help~ Hey all, I have a question I was hoping someone would have the answer to. The starter on my truck "72 Chevy " has three wires going to it, one being the battery cable of course and the others a small yellow on pass side of solenoid and a bigger purple one on drivers side. now when I turn my key switch to the acc I get power to the yellow on but when I turn my key to the start position I get nothing on the purple wire. Shouldn't I get some power there ?

09-06-2002, 09:00 PM	#2
my new 72 faster, faster, faster Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston ,Texas ,USA Posts: 1,354	Yes the big purple wire should get power. __________________ I'm going to Law School, wanna debate? It's good practice.

09-07-2002, 12:49 AM	#3
1971LT1SWBPOSI373 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 460	re: Hmmm, my print doesn't show the yellow wire to the starter, but it does show the purple. It appears that the wire should only have power when the key is in the start position. Does that help???? __________________ 1971 Shortbed 350/350 w/ Posi-traction 3:73's 1996 Chevy Silverado TJ in Springfield, Virginia Likes old Chevy trucks Drinks Miller MGD

09-07-2002, 01:27 AM	#5
1971LT1SWBPOSI373 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, VA Posts: 460	Thanks Andy, that all sounds right... i just couldn't see it on my print. for some reason, they left out the yellow wire. I have to admit.... you do know your sh!t !!!!!!! TJ __________________ 1971 Shortbed 350/350 w/ Posi-traction 3:73's 1996 Chevy Silverado TJ in Springfield, Virginia Likes old Chevy trucks Drinks Miller MGD

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09-07-2002, 01:10 AM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	The purple wire is the signal from the ignition switch. It energises the relay that spins the motor on the starter. The yellow (which is stock) sends a full 12 volts to the coil so it can get a better spark to start easier. As soon as the key is released, the yellow wire is dead, and the coil is only getting the 8 or what ever volts it needs.

09-07-2002, 10:23 AM	#6
EJ Registered User Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: El Dorado Springs, MO Posts: 227	Thank you for your help guys, I guess I need to trace the purple wire and see why im not getting any voltage from it. EJ



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