'80 5.0L Starter Problem

:smt100After trying to troubleshoot a starter problem, I removed the starter and had it tested. After re-installing the starter, nobody seems to remember where the black wire goes.:huh:

I have two reds, one yellow and one black. I'm pretty sure the yellow goes to the post on the right side of the starter and the two reds go to the middle post. Does anyone know where the black wire goes???

I have been trying everything and even the service manual I have does not give a clear enough illustration of the wires to see where they go.:smt021

Is that the original 1980 engine? Of course they didn't call it a 5.7 LITER in 1980. My old Mercruiser book lists the model 228 as the 305 GM engine. The electrical diagram doesn't show a black wire to the starter for that engine. The Ford engines (302 ci) did have a black wire, which went to ground. But that's just a diagram, not a picture.

Black should be a ground wire (in 12v). I'm assuming it's a lightweight wire not a battery cable size. Check the small terminal bolts carefully on the starter. Often, there are different diameter bolts to help get it right. If you have the correct connectors on your wires, that may be enough to tell you where to connect.

The black wire is lightweight gauge and I originally hooked it up to a ground and nothing happened. I am pretty positive that both red wires connected to the center post of the solenoid, the yellow wire was attached to the post on the right and nothing was attached to the post on the left. I am thoroughly confused and might try an older chevy manual to see if that shows anything more.

Thanks for the help, though.

Do you have a coil and points ign? It might go to the coil like a resistance wire bypass. For also had this from the starter solenoid.
If you're not familiar with it, it went to batt voltage to the coil positive when starting so the starting voltage wouldn't drop too low.

Try a continuity check with other systems.

DG

It's a points and coil right now. Next year it will be elec. ignition, though. I am going to do some surfing tonight to see what I can find on the internet. After that, I will get out the test lights and start poking around.

Thanks for the replies.