I recently purchased this 88 TC and have had two starter solenoids get stuck and the starter kept spinning, the second time the batter(+) cable melted. I brought a new Solenoid from Auto Zone and now my starter has a hard time turning when I try to start the car, sometimes it gets completely stuck. The starter looks brand new. Do I need to buy a new starter or a better solenoid to resolve this issue??
Thanks,
-Vance
The soleniod is cheeper. Try a different supplier (I always liked Blue Point electricals when I can get them). Then you may need to change the starter but be sure that the cable you changed to was the same size as the one you took out. Sometimes the cheeper cables cost less for a reason. Smaaller diameter cables dont carry the current of larger ones, the increased resistance creates heat that melts cables.
Before you spend any money, make sure the positive battery cable isn't making contact with anything it isn't supposed to.
The cables are fine, I replaced the melted one with a nice thick replacement. I also doubled checked to see if the positive cable was touching anything, its not. It must be the starter or solenoid. Dang, I just spent money for the 3G alternator install.
Could also be (though unlikely) the ignition switch. have you tried pulling the start wire when it does it.
I'm so frustrated, just replaced the solenoid. All I get is a click when I turn the ignition, now the starter is not turning at all. What could it be? I tested the battery it has 12 volts and tightened all the connections. Is it the starter?
If it clicks, then the solenoid is getting a start signal.
Have you put a meter on it to see what the voltage is, in and out of the solenoid?
Had the same problem(not the burning of cables though) with my 87 when i first bought her and after replacing the solenoid and cable with same results, found out that it was definitely the battery. Took one out of my 04 F150 and the Bird fired right up.
Well it was the starter after all. Took it to autozone to get it tested and it tripped the circuit breaker on their test machine. Did the same exact thing at Kragen too. I brought my starter from NAPA, installed the starter, and the bird fired right up. This car is fun to work on. Thanks for the help!