what is this part????

[jbaker4341]

What is this and what does it do? black wire is grounded and the red runs from battery to this device then as the constant power line to starter motor? the motor is give or take 1993 K1500 350 5.7L.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Some type of solenoid.
No clue to the purpose......
LG

 

[cglax6]

That would be your starter solenoid.

I just read your post about not getting your engine to crank.

Run a jumper from red to red (battery to starter wires) real quick. If it cranks, then you need a new solenoid...assuming you get 12v from the wire coming from the battery.

Trace all the cables and let us know where they lead.

This is not an OEM solenoid...most likely because of your engine swap. No telling what the PO used.

Edit: If this is indeed the starter solenoid, there's supposed to be another wire from the ignition to the solenoid that tell the solenoid to close the circuit to send electrons to the starter motor. I don't see that in this picture, so it may be your problem. Again, if it is the starter solenoid...

 

[jbaker4341]

The constant hot wire running to the starter from the battery has power. I then took off the starter and with 12v to the constant line I used the jumper wire to the solenoid. The starter kicked on immediately. Does that mean the solenoid is bad or good? I tried using my light tester on the solenoid when the key is turned on and nothing happened - no light.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

You need to have someone hold the key in the start position of the ign switch.
LG

 

[jbaker4341]

I had someone turn the key while I held the light to the solenoid. No light or anything

 

[RiverandSand]

Looks like a remote start switch or a anti-theft switch. Is on/off or on/off/ start?

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Was think'n the same.....
LG

 

[cglax6]

Are you getting 12v from the switch to the solenoid when you have someone turn the key?

Barring anything else, I'm leaning toward what R&S and LG are thinking.

 

[jbaker4341]

The starter solenoid is on the starter itself. I have 12V on the constant wire. When I have someone turn the key I don’t have any power on the ignition wire at the solenoid. I checked my neutral safety switch with a meter and it shows continuity so I’m assuming it’s good. I ordered a new relay and neutral safety switch switch just for the hell of it. I could try bypassing the neutral safety switch and see if that works and gets me closer to the solution. Any other thoughts?

 

[cglax6]

Gotcha...I think I have a better idea in my head of what you're trying to tell us.

If I'm following you correctly, it sounds like you have 12v from battery going to your starter. You turn the key, but nothing happens, no 12v from solenoid to starter. You jumped your solenoid on the starter from constant 12v cable to the other side of the solenoid and your starter cranked.

Given the above, this means one of two things...your solenoid on the starter is bad and needs to be replaced or the 12v signal from the starter switch isn't making it to the solenoid when you turn the key. You need to check voltage at the start wire on the solenoid when the key is turned to 'start.' If you get 12v at the start wire, then you have a bad solenoid. If you don't get 12v at the start wire, then you have an issue up-river...probably at the ignition switch as stated in your other thread; it's not uncommon. Or it could be your starter relay.

When I say 'start wire,' don't mean the wire from the solenoid to the starter. I mean the wire from the ignition switch to the solenoid on your starter.

If the start wire isn't providing 12v when you turn the key, it won't close the circuit in the solenoid.

Wiring diagrams are worth a thousand words. If you can trace each wire and draw it out for us, we can tell you what's going on with a little more certainty.

On to solving your mystery piece. I re-read your original post, and I may have followed you incorrectly. If all it has is 12v from battery to a post, another wire from that same post to the starer, and a ground, then it looks like the PO made a modification to accommodate the starter he/she installed that has a solenoid on it. If the hot wires on your mystery part share the same post, then the mystery part is doing absolutely nothing other than just being there instead of one longer wire from the battery to the starter.

Let me know if I'm understanding this correctly.

 

[jbaker4341]

yes you're correct. So when I turn the key to the "start" position I get 12Volts at the +switch wire at the relay 85 or 86, my other +switch wire going to my ACC relay makes +12 volts when in the "on" position. Now I also have 12volts at the constant wire on the starter, when the key is turned to start. I have nothing at the solenoid, I have a wire coming out the back of the fuse box that splits off to the cruise control box and to the neutral safety switch and back. I tested the neutral safety switch which reads 0.6ohms which I assume Is where it should read when in park. with the key on or in start there is 0 voltage on the neutral safety switch. I think my relay is wired up wrong or I have an open circuit or possibly fuse blown that I cant find. I have new relays in place, its a wiring issue or something but I just can't figure it out. The wire going to the solenoid has 0 boots as well when the ignition switch is turned to start

 

[RealJeep]

It looks like a kill switch to me. If that is what it is it's used to disconnect the battery so it doesn't drain the battery when being stored for months at a time. Also can be used to deter theft.

It looks like it has some kind of knob on top. Turn it and see if the starter will run.