Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:Re: Re hot solenoid not kicking
Date:Tue, 9 Jul 1996 08:49:18, -0500

>Mike Benthin:   (quoting myself)
>
>>Otherwise, if I'm not on a hill, I get underneath with my
>>trusting 14g wire with alligator clips on each end and
>>attach one end to the pull-off connector on the solenoid
>>(red wire goes to it), and touch the other end to the HOT
>>terminal from batter to starter- it should try to kick over.
>
The comments on not lying under a vehicle that could roll over me are well
taken- HOWEVER, I don't START the vehicle this way (well OK, I have, but
made SURE it was in neutral and someone had foot on brake.), I usually just
TOUCH the wire for a second to make solenopid click, THEN squirm out to try
car- 99% of time it will start.  Just banging with a hammer on the solenoid
usually works also......When working under my vehicle I always use wheel
blocks front and rear and Jackstands or cinderblocks along with jack left
in place.   Mike Benthin