if you apply voltage to just the spade connector, you should get the starter to engage fully. if it still just whirs then there is an issue with the solenoid.

 

The thin wire that goes on the spade connector is what engages the starter and the solenoid, all the thin wire does is apply 12V to the solenoid, and when the solenoid gets its 12vs it actuates the starter motor, and kicks out the gear on the starter

 

Nope didn't miss it . Just assumed the OP was smart enough to to put it back on . Figured he took picture while he was still down there working. Lol .

He's got me a little confused especially since he keeps mentioning a wire with the boot and I don't see any wire with a boot (could be because I'm half blind ) hahaha . The only wire that should be connected to the right post of the solenoid is the wire that comes directly out of the starter motor.

 

the battery wire has a boot, just wasn't in his picture.

 

sure does . But I think the wire with the boot he is referring to is the starter motor wire. Which is what had me confused .

 

that pic I took doesnt have the battery wire with the boot visible or the wire that Kevin specifies to run to the starter visible . keep in mind this is a five speed swap, so that extra wire is going to be there.

 

I think your over thinking this . I just read what Kevin has down and I think your referring to step 17 . You can skip that step it's only for a clutch switch (neutral safety) not needed. You only need to run 2 wire . The thick Wire from the battery + terminal to the starter left post and the red and black wire to the starter solenoid spade which you already have connected in picture . If the the starter spins when you turn the key it is wired correctly. If it doesn't engage take the starter to get tested. If they confirm it is not working contact Kevin and let him know seeing that you got it from him I willing to bet he will help you out . Or at least send you another solenoid.

 

Yeah, it is step 17, but he does say to run a wire even if you dont do the clutch safety switch, at the end it says " Run a wire from the IGNITION SWITCH side of the black/red wire, to this switch, then out of this switch, through the firewall, and down to the starter. Connect it to the small terminal on the starter. If you don’t wish the clutch switch to operate, run your wire straight from the ignition to the starter."

So he says to run a wire regardless... but what "small terminal" means i have no idea.

I'm assuming i have it wired up correctly though, considering nothing is grounding out, car is fine with the key in ON, but like i said, when it goes to start, it just whirrs.

 

Have you done what was suggested in posts #26 and 27?

 

Yeah you fine the small terminal is the spade you connected the black and red wire to.

 

It has the factory wire connected to it, so i didnt see a reason why I needed to. Is there a reason why I should disconnect it and run another wire? or is that where the wire kevin specifies you need to add for the five speed swap should be ran? He just says small terminal... which doesnt really describe much.

 

You would be testing the starter solenoid for that might be the problem. On the other hand, if providing voltage to this wire engages the starter it would point to a wiring/circuit problem. Is this an S4 or S5?

 

Car is an S5. with the starter installed on the car, (look at my pic for reference, just imagine the wires connected how i am about to describe)

left post is thick/booted wire, right post is the wire kevin said to run (again, his description is vague on where, but im assuming since when i turn the key to on and nothing explodes and the starter whirs, I got it right, if not someone please clarify) and the top, same wire is there that is in the picture.

 

Just do what was suggested in posts #26 and 27. Are you familiar w/the starter solenoid or not. Could you identify it when looking at the starter? It has a single rather thin gauged wire to it unlike the other much thicker gauged wires running from the battery to the starter. Just place voltage to this solenoid and you just might make some headway, that's all.

 

electricity is one of my weakpoints.

I assume you are talking about the spade connector up top. so just disconnect the factory plug, leaving the other plugs in place, and just run a wire from the pos terminal on the battery to the solenoid spade connector, tap it and see if it kicks out and does more than just whir?

 

Yes.

 

Would the ignition switch need to be in any position, ex: off, on, etc, or is that irrelevant for the purposes of this test?

 

The battery supplied voltage is all you need (nothing else matters-just don't have the car in gear).

 

Gotcha. I emailed Kevin as well asking for clarification on where that wire from the ignition switch is supposed to go to as well, since "small terminal" like I said is kind of vague, at least to me.


Going to try that and see what happens.

 

If you supply 12V from the + of the battery to where the small wire goes (and still have the battery hooked up to the starter itself) the engine should roll over, if all you hear is the starter spinning, than you have a bad solenoid

 

Well, I solved the problem. The wire kevin specifies to run goes to the spade connector. Tried that, car fired right up. But my luck seems to always catch up to me, somehow the oil filter has a hole in it, now my engine bay as well as the driveway is covered in oil, time to get a replacement.

 

That little Cylindrical lookin thing on the starter IS the solenoid.It has that Spade connector which receives 12 volts when you turn the key to start.
That thing kicks the Starter gear to the end of the starter and onto the flywheel gear to start the car.
NOW if that solenoid receives NO power when you put it to start the Starter will WHHHRRR when you turn the key.

AS Iduley said.put the car in Neutral and Safely jacked up..get under the car and take a jumper and put it on the spade connector and touch the POSITIVE cable(The "booted one").
If it doesn't turn the engine over your solenoid has had sex.

 

sex that resulted in a STD

 

In case you wondered, that's not normal.

 

..uh..oil..
Reminded me of when I had to test a pressure sensor and forgot to put it back in and started the car.
Do you know that the engine can shoot out 4 quarts in 30 seconds?..