Could somone tell me where the purple wire (the one with a fusible link) coming off the starter goes? I had a harness made for my dohc swap, everything looks good however the purple wire just ends about 12" from the starter as if it were just cut. Because I removed the 2.8 so long ago I can't remember what's supposed to be on the other end or where it's supposed to end up.
Also there's an orange wire going to an eyelet that has another orange wire coming off of it with a male connector and a fusable link, could someone tell me where that connector goes too?
I've tried turning the engine over but the starter solenoid just clicks, which based on what I've read elsewhere on the forum is a wiring issue related to the starter. Although I do know that the both the solenoid and the starter are funtional as I performed a successful bench-test prior to bolting up the starter. I also know that low voltage being supplied by the battrey isn't the issue as it's fully charged.
Any help, advice or opinions with regards to diagnosing my problem would be greatly appreciated!
In a stock Fiero, the purple wire for the starter goes to the C500 (directly on a manual, indirectly on an auto: note comment below). Which pin exactly and where the C500 is depends upon which year Fiero you have. From there it goes to the clutch safety switch (if you have one) and then the ignition switch.
If your solenoid is clicking then it suggests that your starter signal wire is working. If you are sure that the starter and solenoid are good then making sure of other factors like having good grounds and good battery connections would be a good next step.
So, do you have good grounds? Do you have a good hot lead going to the correct post on the starter? Also, is the starter shimmed correctly? Does the engine rotate freely?
[This message has been edited by GraterFang (edited 03-15-2012).]
If you think that your starter signal wire isn't working properly you can test your starter by jumping the post for the solenoid (on the starter--should be where your purple wire goes if connected properly) to the hot lead coming from the battery (should also be on the starter on a different post). Easily done with a pair of screwdrivers.
[This message has been edited by GraterFang (edited 03-15-2012).]
Thanks GraterFang and Fierofan25, My Fiero is a 5-speed 87', my C500 connector is located next to the battery tucked in front of the passenger side spring pocket.
So I figure I'll use a solder splice and another piece of wire the same gauge as the purple one to lengthen it and run it up to the corresponding pin on the C500 connector, and then from there I'll run it to the clutch safety switch and then on to the ignition switch. Does that sound alright to you GraterFang?
To answer your questions, my grounds are good, I have the positive lead from my battery going straight to the starter, the starter is shimmed and I'm able to rotate the crank with the appropriate socket and ratchet. Because the starter is clicking I think we can rule out a faulty starter signal wire, however I will jump the post just to be certain.
I'll try and get a pic of the orange wire and the male connector, it's probably easier to see what I'm talking about rather than explaining it.
So I figure I'll use a solder splice and another piece of wire the same gauge as the purple one to lengthen it and run it up to the corresponding pin on the C500 connector, and then from there I'll run it to the clutch safety switch and then on to the ignition switch. Does that sound alright to you GraterFang?
Yes, that sounds good but before you make any changes I would recommend examining your current swap harness and doing the test with the starter. You shouldn't be getting a solenoid click if there's no starter signal. Its possible that enough has been changed that you can't assume the purpose of a wire based upon its color alone. Doing some basic continuity tests with a multimeter could give you a better idea of what's going on.
By the way, for an 87 w/ manual the starter signal wire should run to Pin E2 on the C500. Its a good idea to check your wiring with a multimeter though as some differences exist between the years/options.
[This message has been edited by GraterFang (edited 03-16-2012).]
There are two wires that run to the starter's solenoid control terminal. One is the large fat purple wire. The crank signal comes on that wire. If your solenoid is making a distinct somewhat loud click, then you already have power coming on that wire to your starter.
The other wire that runs to the starter's solenoid control terminal is the wire for the cold start injector. If you look at the diagram you can see this wire running off from the starter. This wire is normally Purple/White AND it has a fuseible link located at the starter's solenoid terminal. So it sounds like the wire you are questioning is this wire. With a dohc 3.4, the cold start injector is no longer used. So my guess is whomever made the harness didn't have plans for the wire to be spliced back together. (No I did not make the harness)
So if the solenoid is clicking, but the engine is not turning, then the problem is either you don't have the positive battery terminal wire properly terminated at the solenoid, or the solenoid or starter is bad.
------ Orange wire? Is the orange wire by the power distribution posts under C500? If so that wire would have been the main power vai a reset disconnect to power your ECM in stock configuration.
One can only guess what the harness builder's intentions were for it now.
Hello guys, stumbled upon your thread here using the search.
I see everyone talking about how to diagnose any starter issues by checking starter/fuses/starter wiring.
BUT what I fail to see in my search is the location of the other end of the purple crank-signal wire once it goes into the firewall.
I've also been burdened by someone else's wiring job, so I'm doing what I can to diagnose.
I have no power from purple at the starter, no power at the C500 from it, and no idea where that sucker goes once It goes through the firewall. I have the center console pulled, and I lose it all in a newly wrapped loom from the PO. I'm under the assumption that the purple goes to the steering column where the linkage rods run to switches, when the lock cylinder is turned. I'm not sure if there is a fusible link anywhere, or if there is a correlation with another switch (Like the clutch-safety switch)
My question is what gives the purple wire voltage, and where can I find the source?
I don't want to go all race car button on the race car yet, since I'm troubleshooting a rattling-can noise from the bell housing area on my s/c 3.8 project I acquired. BUT I eventually will!
In the main harness the purple wire runs in a single piece from C500 to the clutch switch under the dash. There, if the clutch is depressed it connects to a large yellow wire that runs to the ignition switch located on the bottom side of the steering column.
The purple wire will only have power when the ignition switch is turned to start and the clutch fully depressed.
Look for loose flywheel bolts or loose clutch plate bolts for your rattle. You might be able to reach the clutch plate bolts by pulling the starter. You will have to pull the engine to reach the flywheel bolts.
It is easier to drop the cradle (and engine/transmission combo) than any other method to work on the flywheel bolts.
[This message has been edited by phonedawgz (edited 02-27-2016).]
