1979 C20 starter cable replacement

You must have connected the wrong wires to a wrong terminal thats getting shorted.

READ THIS ALL BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING
NOTE: some vehicles have the starter relay and starter mounted together as 1 unit. Sometimes the starter relay and starter are seperate. When I refer to "relay" it could also mean the starter and relay as 1 unit.
Note: "starter switch" is not to be confused with "key switch", although sometimes they are all one unit. The starter switch is usually mounted on the steering column and actuated by a metal rod. On units that are all one unit, the keyswitch/starter switch (both one unit) will have to be replaced. (this is a rare problem, so don't get worried just yet)
1. Check battery voltage, should be between 12.5-14.5 volts. if low voltage replace or charge battery, and try to start car, if it don't crank with new or charged battery, move on.
2. Check connections on the starter relay, even the small one coming from your starter switch. if loose or corroded, clean with a brush and reconnect them. Try to start your car. Did it start? if not, Move on
3. Well now we know the connections aren't the problem. How about a click? did you hear one? If a click is heard, go to #4, if nothing is heard, go to #5
4. Well at least the relay is clicking, but nothing else is going on. The relay is working, so the starter must be bad. Replace the starter and start your car!
5. Humm, connections aren't the problem, maybe the relay is bad, replace your relay with a new one. Move on
6. Now we have a new relay, with clean and tight connections. Start your car. Does it start? If yes, then HORRAY! we fixed it. Does it click? If so then goto #7, If it don't click, then goto #8
7. So here we have a new relay, with good connections that will click when trying to start the car, but nothing else happens. Starter is faulty, replace the starter, and off you go, see ya!
8. So here we have a new relay, with good connections, but it still won't click when we try to start our car. This means that your starter switch is faulty. Replace starter switch and try to start your car. Vroom! finally done with this car problem!
List of shortcuts: if you remove the starter switch lead (small wire) from the relay and apply +12v to its respective prong or lead on the relay, and your starter cranks, your starter switch is faulty. You can actually hook up a starter button this way. If you jump the two large wires together on the relay and it cranks, then the relay is faulty. If you jump the two large wires together and nothing happens, then starter is faulty, or wires to starter are loose or broken.

All that is left is the entire engine your trying to turn over

Starter problem. Make sure your connections to the starter are tight, both the battery cable and the starter solenoid wire. Will probably have to take starter off and have it tested.

Just because the lights work does not ensure that the battery is good. To be sure that the battery is good it should be load tested. Most auto parts stores will do this for free, it could save you the trouble and expense of replacing the starter.

Also thouroughly inspect the cables/connectors, make sure they aren't corroded or damage.

This is the starter replacement procedure.

1. Remove or disconnect the following:
   • Negative battery cable
   • Starter mounting bolts
   • Starter solenoid harness connections
   • Starter
   To install:
   
2. Connect the starter solenoid wiring connectors.
3. Install the starter and tighten the bolts to the following specifications:
   • 2.5L engine: 33 ft. lbs. (45 Nm)
   • 4.0L engine: Upper bolt to 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm) and lower bolt to 30 ft. lbs. (41 Nm)
   • 4.7L engine: 40 ft. lbs. (54 Nm)
   • 5.2L and 5.9L engines: 50 ft. lbs. (68 Nm)
4. Install the negative battery cable and check for proper operation.

Most starters have one large wire ( the same size that goes to the positive side of the starter) and another wire (which is smaller) that goes to the ignition switch and only receives power when the key is in the crank position. So if those two wires end up touching each other somehow, then that is exactly what would happen. When you connect the battery terminals the starter will engage and try to start. Originally I don't know why you replaced the solenoid, but a cracked electrical portion of the ignition switch will do the same thing. So what I am saying is if you replaced your old solenoid because it burned out, there is always that possibility that your ignition switch was faulty and burned it out. Good Luck. Hope this was a little helpful.

Bad tires or shocks.

starter relay is in power distribution center near battery. don't know which engine you have, but if you flollow the positive cable on the battery, it will lead you to the starter. Most are not difficult to replace, depends on how much experience you have. One tip...dont overtighten wire connections on starter the solenoid cover is plastic and can break.

Get a chilton manual online if you a DIYer and it will save you time and money..Basic step by step-Remove postive batt cable. locate starter, obtain new starter to see location of mounting bolts,remove starter mounting bolts,remove wires firrst if accessable if not starter will lower when mount bolts out ,then remove wires noting where they go. hookup wires and replace in reverse. note:some can be hard to get to-always handy to refer to a manual Good luck..oh replace positive cable when aal is tight and right...

check for a bad ground wire