Chasis Electrical woes: 1992 CC Affinity

[YC1]

Originally Posted by twinboat

There shouldn't be a ground cable on the big terminal.

Take another picture.

Beat me to it once again. Remove the two small wires and use a voltmeter on them. Cycle the key on and off. Knowing what is going on with those wires will sure help.

Diagnosing this without a voltmeter is a shot in the dark. I would have wanted voltage readings on all four terminals on the old solenoid before touching it.

Once this is sorted out, take the old solenoid apart and inspect. If it was the culprit the contacts should show the problem.

[Ron Burgundy]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Additional observations I've made:

1) 34E wire has 12v with ignition key on and 0v with ignition key off when it is disconnected from solenoid. (Which is my understanding of what is supposed to happen.).

2) With all wire hooked up to solenoid and solenoid energized when it shouldn't be, I can get solenoid to turn off by removed 34E wire. (34E has 12 volts when connected to solenoid after cycling key on then back off)

Pictures of:

12 volt electrical bay


Close up of connected solenoid (old solenoid)


Schematic (solenoid is item #15)

[twinboat]

Can we see an after picture of the solenoid replacement ?

[okcnewbie]

Are you sure you bought the right type of solenoid?

[okcnewbie]

Originally Posted by twinboat

There shouldn't be a ground cable on the big terminal.

Take another picture.

His "before" pics show ground cable on the big terminal. It looks like ground is sent through the relay to the second and 3rd buss bar?

[twinboat]

Double check the aux start switch.

[Ron Burgundy]

Here's a pic of how the new solenoid installed:

Exact same configuration/connections as original.

Replacement solenoid is a continuous duty solenoid which should do the job. The purpose of the solenoid is to allow ground to pass through and supply to 2nd and 3rd bus's bar.

[twinboat]

That's not what's shown in the diagram, unless I'm missing it.

[Ron Burgundy]

Originally Posted by twinboat

That's not what's shown in the diagram, unless I'm missing it.

I think you are right! Thanks for keeping me on point. It supplies power to the 2nd and 2rd bus bars....not ground.

[Ron Burgundy]

Ok! It's solved..... I think. During this entire situation I have not actually started the engine. I just started the engine for a while....shut it off and wen I turned the key off, all ignition electronics shut down as they should. Now the solenoid functions as it should even when I turn key to on and back off (without an engine start).
My guess is that there was some for of relay, etc. that needs to be cycled with a full start up after disturbing solenoid connection.
A little bit worried that I can't explain the details but super happy that it appears to be solved.

[TQ60]

Your diagram has a connection to the ecm.

It is likely input to ecm but it could be a delay control from ecm.

[Ron Burgundy]

Originally Posted by TQ60

Your diagram has a connection to the ecm.

It is likely input to ecm but it could be a delay control from ecm.

Makes sense and thanks for the insight. Helps relieve the anxiety of a phantom fix.