8 replies to this topic

[miniedgt]

Which side of the solenoid does the main battery cable go? Taken mine off and can't remember!! Is it nearest the side it fixes to the car or the terminal the other side???

[grahama]

Hi,

a pic of mine before the strip out



the pic is front of car to the right and battery goes to the top terminal as you lok at it, I think !!!

Hope it helps,

Graham

[lrostoke]

doesn't matter, only thing you need to remember is

battery terminal and all the brown wires on one threaded terminal, starter motor cable alone on the other.

[Yoda]

Unless you have a ballast coil set up. then it MUST be as in the above picture or your coil will be permanently energised and will fail very quickly.

[lrostoke]

Just incase I'd given duff info I have a spare solenoid in the garage so just been and tested it yes sad I know

Anyway

I tried a battery feed on both threaded terminals and only time the ballast byepass terminal goes live is when the solenoid is energised.
So on that test it doesn't matter which terminals you use as long as the starter cable is always on its own terminal with nothing else attached

Although saying that most solenoids come with one of the terminals with a large spade connector on the threaded terminal, that is the battery and brown wire terminal

Edited by lrostoke, 07 September 2010 - 06:49 PM.

[Yoda]

Just incase I'd given duff info I have a spare solenoid in the garage so just been and tested it yes sad I know

Anyway

I tried a battery feed on both threaded terminals and only time the ballast byepass terminal goes live is when the solenoid is energised.
So on that test it doesn't matter which terminals you use as long as the starter cable is always on its own terminal with nothing else attached

Although saying that most solenoids come with one of the terminals with a large spade connector on the threaded terminal, that is the battery and brown wire terminal

is it my turn to rush out and test one now.

Be wary as some solenoids definitely behave the way i said, as i diagnosed a dead coil recently for someone and the fault was the solenoid connected the wrong way round causing exactly the point made above.

Not being funny, and maybe the solenoid was faulty too, but it cured the issue with the coil.

just dont want to see a Mini getting hurt is all. not trying to contradict anyone. I shall go away now.

[lrostoke]

No fair point what you said made sense thats why I tested the one I've got, which just happens to be brand new.
Could be some out there that are terminal specific, which is why I ended with the use the big spade connector as a guide then you don't need to remember left or right just remember big spade connector is the battery terminal side and all the browns, other terminal is the starter cable

Can see big spade terminal in this pic , thats battery cable side

[Yoda]

Im not listening, i went away!

[miniedgt]

Thank you very much for you help guys! :0)
Knew I could get the answer on here. Such a wealth of knowledge!