Starter motor - what connections are what?
Moderators: User administrators, Moderators
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 58
- Joined: 02 Sep 2020, 22:11
- 80-90 Mem No: 17264
- Location: Bristol
Starter motor - what connections are what?
Hi everyone,
Can you confirm what is what please.
Top bolt - battery/mains power supply?
Two spade connectors on right - solenoid trigger?
Bottom bolt - ?
Also looking to earth close by. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Can you confirm what is what please.
Top bolt - battery/mains power supply?
Two spade connectors on right - solenoid trigger?
Bottom bolt - ?
Also looking to earth close by. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Early 1985 VW T25 1.9 Watercooled
-
- Trader
- Posts: 2593
- Joined: 27 May 2009, 18:56
- 80-90 Mem No: 16628
- Location: hayling island
Re: Starter motor - what connections are what?
The solenoid is a switch , it connects the live at the top to the lower connection which is the live to the motor part
Re: Starter motor - what connections are what?
Cataldoodledoo wrote: ↑10 Apr 2021, 19:41 Hi everyone,
Can you confirm what is what please.
Top bolt - battery/mains power supply?
Two spade connectors on right - solenoid trigger?
Bottom bolt - ?
Also looking to earth close by. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
Bottom bolt serves as a connection point for the braided cable from from solenoid switch to starter. Earth is through starter body against mounting point on engine casing.
It all looks a bit cruddy. Take starter off and give it a good clean up. Including the engine casing and face of starter.
MaxStu
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper
"Blissfully happy in your presence".
1989 DJ 2.1 Auto Leisuredrive rusty bucket.
1987 DG1.9 LPG Auto Autosleeper
"Blissfully happy in your presence".
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 1911
- Joined: 10 Aug 2019, 23:30
- 80-90 Mem No: 17004
- Location: Coventry
Re: Starter motor - what connections are what?
Earth strap from gearbox bolts at the front where it bolts to the chassis
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 58
- Joined: 02 Sep 2020, 22:11
- 80-90 Mem No: 17264
- Location: Bristol
Re: Starter motor - what connections are what?
Thanks everyone. Cleaning it up and wiring in a hard start relay so it’s extra reliable.
I’ve drilled/screwed in a new earth and then the relay into the chassis above the starter motor. Will post a picture shortly!
I’ve drilled/screwed in a new earth and then the relay into the chassis above the starter motor. Will post a picture shortly!
Early 1985 VW T25 1.9 Watercooled
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 1911
- Joined: 10 Aug 2019, 23:30
- 80-90 Mem No: 17004
- Location: Coventry
Re: Starter motor - what connections are what?
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 58
- Joined: 02 Sep 2020, 22:11
- 80-90 Mem No: 17264
- Location: Bristol
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 58
- Joined: 02 Sep 2020, 22:11
- 80-90 Mem No: 17264
- Location: Bristol
Re: Starter motor - what connections are what?
I’ve just added this.
Early 1985 VW T25 1.9 Watercooled
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 1911
- Joined: 10 Aug 2019, 23:30
- 80-90 Mem No: 17004
- Location: Coventry
Re: Starter motor - what connections are what?
That's not my van, just an example of the size of ground cable you need and where to generally put it.
1985 LeisureDrive 2.1DJ 5 Speed syncro conversion project.
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
1979 LT 2.0CH Westy project
- Robsey
- Registered user
- Posts: 1171
- Joined: 19 May 2012, 20:45
- 80-90 Mem No: 11137
- Location: East Manchester
Re: Starter motor - what connections are what?
The general rule that I use for connecting up any kind of relay is.
That the wires for terminals
86 - control wire,
And
85 - earth terminal,
Should both be large enough to safely operate the relay. This depends on the power consumption of the relay itself.
Terminal 30 - supply wire
And
Terminal 67 - output wire to the load.
Should be large enough to safely operate the load dependent upon the power consumption of the load.
Taking into account, that any coil type device (solenoid, motor etc) will have a bit of a spike or surge to get any moving parts to move.
So looking at that.
Terminal 86 - original red / black wire is 6mm.
Terminal 85 - in my mind, anything above 1mm brown wire should work.
Terminal 30 - 6mm red wire from main starter motor connector.
Terminal 87 - 6mm red (red / black) wire to solenoid connection.
That the wires for terminals
86 - control wire,
And
85 - earth terminal,
Should both be large enough to safely operate the relay. This depends on the power consumption of the relay itself.
Terminal 30 - supply wire
And
Terminal 67 - output wire to the load.
Should be large enough to safely operate the load dependent upon the power consumption of the load.
Taking into account, that any coil type device (solenoid, motor etc) will have a bit of a spike or surge to get any moving parts to move.
So looking at that.
Terminal 86 - original red / black wire is 6mm.
Terminal 85 - in my mind, anything above 1mm brown wire should work.
Terminal 30 - 6mm red wire from main starter motor connector.
Terminal 87 - 6mm red (red / black) wire to solenoid connection.
1983 Tin Top with a poorly DF and 4 speed DT box.
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 58
- Joined: 02 Sep 2020, 22:11
- 80-90 Mem No: 17264
- Location: Bristol
Re: Starter motor - what connections are what?
That’s really helpful! Thanks so much.Robsey wrote:The general rule that I use for connecting up any kind of relay is.
That the wires for terminals
86 - control wire,
And
85 - earth terminal,
Should both be large enough to safely operate the relay. This depends on the power consumption of the relay itself.
Terminal 30 - supply wire
And
Terminal 67 - output wire to the load.
Should be large enough to safely operate the load dependent upon the power consumption of the load.
Taking into account, that any coil type device (solenoid, motor etc) will have a bit of a spike or surge to get any moving parts to move.
So looking at that.
Terminal 86 - original red / black wire is 6mm.
Terminal 85 - in my mind, anything above 1mm brown wire should work.
Terminal 30 - 6mm red wire from main starter motor connector.
Terminal 87 - 6mm red (red / black) wire to solenoid connection.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Early 1985 VW T25 1.9 Watercooled
- Robsey
- Registered user
- Posts: 1171
- Joined: 19 May 2012, 20:45
- 80-90 Mem No: 11137
- Location: East Manchester
Re: Starter motor - what connections are what?
You are most welcome.
I do find from time to time, that many manufacturers - including VW will reverse the wires compared to how I have listed them
That is
Pins 86 and 85.
I have seen either one used as the ground pin.
With the other being the "trigger" or control wire.
Back in my early days, it was considered the norm to use pin 85 for earth / ground.
As for pins 30 and 87.
These can indeed be wired either way round.
It will not make any difference.
For clarification, on pin 87, I put the red/black wire in brackets, for those who wish to have the "correct" coloured wire on the solenoid connector bolt.
In truth, any colour could be used, to differentiate it from the red direct battery feed.
I do find from time to time, that many manufacturers - including VW will reverse the wires compared to how I have listed them
That is
Pins 86 and 85.
I have seen either one used as the ground pin.
With the other being the "trigger" or control wire.
Back in my early days, it was considered the norm to use pin 85 for earth / ground.
As for pins 30 and 87.
These can indeed be wired either way round.
It will not make any difference.
For clarification, on pin 87, I put the red/black wire in brackets, for those who wish to have the "correct" coloured wire on the solenoid connector bolt.
In truth, any colour could be used, to differentiate it from the red direct battery feed.
1983 Tin Top with a poorly DF and 4 speed DT box.
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished
- bigherb
- Registered user
- Posts: 2579
- Joined: 27 Mar 2008, 13:50
- 80-90 Mem No: 5789
- Location: West Kent
Re: Starter motor - what connections are what?
Don't mount the relay underneath, or you will eventually be back to square one, there is enough cable to mount the relay out of the weather in the engine bay.
1982 Camper 1970 1500 Beetle Various Skoda's, Ariel Arrow
- Robsey
- Registered user
- Posts: 1171
- Joined: 19 May 2012, 20:45
- 80-90 Mem No: 11137
- Location: East Manchester
Re: Starter motor - what connections are what?
Good call...
Mounting a relay underneath the van in an exposed area is simply begging for road spray etc to be thrown at it.
Ideally it could be put in a spare relay / junction box to protect it from ambient muck, moisture and changes in engine bay temperature.
It all depends how belt and braces you want to go.
A second consideration.
If the relay or fuse blows... I would rather grope around in the engine bay, than having to climb back under the van.
After having a second look at the underside photo...
that ground tag for the relay is screwed to a rusty part.
So that connection will not take long to rust too.
Mounting a relay underneath the van in an exposed area is simply begging for road spray etc to be thrown at it.
Ideally it could be put in a spare relay / junction box to protect it from ambient muck, moisture and changes in engine bay temperature.
It all depends how belt and braces you want to go.
A second consideration.
If the relay or fuse blows... I would rather grope around in the engine bay, than having to climb back under the van.
After having a second look at the underside photo...
that ground tag for the relay is screwed to a rusty part.
So that connection will not take long to rust too.
1983 Tin Top with a poorly DF and 4 speed DT box.
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished
1987 Electrics and a DJ engine.
Maybe one day I might get it finished