How to Mount a Car Starter Solenoid

The method of mounting a new car starter solenoid depends on whether the solenoid is separate from the starter and mounted on the inside fender well or is an integral part of the starter itself. The solenoid supplies power to the starter so the starter can crank the engine and start the car. Before installing a new solenoid, make sure the negative and positive battery cables are disconnected from the battery. Here' s how to mount each type solenoid.

Instructions

Mounting a Solenoid on the Fender Well

1

Locate the mounting screw holes on the car's inside fender well. Slide the mounting bracket over the solenoid.

2

Line up the screw holes in the bracket with the holes in the fender well. Insert the bracket screws through the holes in the bracket and turn the screws clockwise into the fender well holes with your fingers. Tighten them as far as you can with your fingers, then use the screwdriver or the box wrench to tighten the screws and secure the bracket and solenoid in place.

3

Check the wiring diagram to reattach the wires to the solenoid. If you are the one who removed the old solenoid, you should have drawn a wiring diagram before removing it. If not, or if you didn't diagram the wiring, consult the wiring diagram from an auto repair manual, such as "Chilton's Auto Repair Manual."

4

Reconnect the positive battery cable and tighten the battery clamp with a box wrench. Follow the same procedure for the negative battery cable. Always connect the positive cable before connecting the negative battery cable to avoid an accidental spark which could damage the wiring system or injure you.

5

Start the car to check your installation.

Mounting a Solenoid Attached to the Starter

6

Find the solenoid plunger and spring attached inside the solenoid housing. Line the plunger up with the hole in the starter. You may need to rotate the solenoid housing slightly to get the plunger and the hole in the starter lined up.

7

Push the solenoid straight onto the starter so the plunger enters the starter hole and depresses the spring. Holding the solenoid housing against the back of the starter, rotate the solenoid housing until the bolt holes in the solenoid housing line up with the bolt holes in the back of the starter.

8

Insert the bolts through the solenoid housing holes and turn the bolts clockwise with your fingers to begin threading the bolts clockwise into the starter. Turn all the bolts by hand until they are finger tight, then use the box wrench to tighten them down.

9

Attach the wires from the starter to the solenoid, using the diagram you drew when removing the old solenoid. If you didn't draw a diagram, consult a repair manual, such as "Chilton's Auto Repair Manual" for the proper wire attachment. Reattach the braided wire running between the starter and the solenoid.

10

Reconnect the wire running from the the negative battery cable to the starter.

11

Reattach the positive battery cable to the positive battery post, and tighten the clamp with a box wrench. Attach the negative battery cable in the same way. Always attach the positive battery cable before attaching the negative battery cable to avoid a dangerous spark which could damage the car's wiring orinjure you.

12

Start the car to check your work.