purple wire. click click... start

[velox03]

after so many weeks waiting for parts, and so many hours trying to fight w/ the purple wire i finally got it done.

i used the hot shot relay as suggested by many ppl (thanks!), and ripped out the old purple (currently brown) wire. the hardest part was to get those dang wires off and on of the starter. i was able to do it w/o taking the starter out. i tried to thermo-tech the wires, but couldn't get it to stay all the way up to the starter. i'll probably have to buy more or try to slide it all the way to the starter. because as i saw in my old purple wire, the place where the wire got fried most was closest to the starter. is it the downpipe or the headers that fry it?

how long can i expect the original starter to last. ty has 100k. when i replace the starter i plan to install a starter heat shield. dang, i never want to do that again.
thanks, and thanks for everyone who helped.
-Mike Chen

 

[kwick6]

Mike,

So where did you end up ordering that hot-shot relay from? I thought the guy off of Russ Blands site was over in the UK, is that who you got it from? I'm not having any problems, so I don't think I'll do this. I'm not quite sure what you were saying about the thermo-tech wire "but couldn't get it to stay all the way up to the starter"

I think it could be either the downpipe or headers, can't recall. Funny thing happened to me though... After replacing the starter, I didn't have the wire secured away from the heat, melted it right away. I was at the Post office when this happened. I had taken my jack somewhere, don't remember, but it was in the truck. I had crimpers and stake-ons in the tool box. :wink: I fixed it in the lot...and drove home. I must have secured it well away from the heat somehow , maybe tie-wraps?, I can go look if you want I just don't recall. But make sure you secure it somehow or you will be stranded.

Sorry to ramble, but thought that was one of the funniest things that has happened to me, but I was totally prepared. Now I barely have any tools in the truck, and no spare tire. (State farm free towing)

Later,
Scott

 

[velox03]

hey scott thanks.

anyhow, i was just saying that i was trying to insulate the wire w/ some heat shielding. however i wasn't able to get it to stay all the way up on the wire to the starter. well, i'll do it again later. just tired of it right now.

damn, so you're your own pit crew eh? that is funny. well, i don't carry my floor jack in my car, but i do carry tools. that is one thing i'd be afraid of... is just dying in the middle of nowhere. my car died at my house, and it's nearly impossible to get a flatbed close to my garage. yet, again hard to push my ty up the hill to an area for the flatbed to get to. so, i was pretty much stuck w/ the choice of doing the job myself.
i ordered the hot shot relay from jegs. they took so long to send it. it's about $22 and then they tack on another $7 for processing.
the hot shot works though! didn't have to replace the starter.

was your problem the starter?? cuz i remember you replaced it. you get a mini starter? i think i have to do it soon. how long do they last?

later scott!
Mike

 

[John C Holmes]

What's the deal with this purple wire. How long is it and what all does it connect to. I am getting ready for a mini install and plan on replacing the purple wire while I'm donw there.
TIA
Cody

 

[velox03]

i e-mailed you, but i'll reply.

the purple wire is the wire which sends the signal from your ignition key. so, what happens is that the purple wire is too close to the exhaust/header. it gets fried and eventually fails. you only need to replace 3-4ft of it. actually in mine, the part that got fried was the first 1ft from the starter. also insulate your wire w/ some heat reflective material.

-MikeC

 

[John C Holmes]

What guage is good I bought some 10 and what connector works best copper or alum. w/heat shrink for the starter. I also bought some exhaust tape but its not foil its a pliable taffy like tape and would wrap around the wire really well and can withstand temps of 1200 deg. I think thats all folks. Oh, is it good to split and mix whatever gauge the purple wire is and 10 gauge. I don't think I can reach the ignition module. Tia

Cody

 

[velox03]

yea, 10g is good enough. i'm not sure, use gold tip. heh... j/k. i'm sure copper or alum. is fine. yea, use something to heat shield it. you can always do it later. but eventually do it. yea, you can mix the gauges. actually i use a hot shot relay now. and going from the hot shot to the starter is like 12g. and from hot shot to ignition switch is like 16g or so.

good luck!
MikeC

 

[jvanforx@cs.com]

i used heat sleeving purchased from whitney
and pushed it over the purple wire from where it connects with the original wire
near the firewall connector to the terminal
on the solenoid. unfortunately the darn starter still clicks occassionally altho much less than before. i've read that the metal plate in the solenoid which connects the battery to the starter motor may be pitted and causes resistance. supposedly it can be cleaned up or turned around. i'll have to give it a try but am not looking forward to it.

 

[velox03]

is that why some ppl use a remote mount solenoid???

my click is gone, but sometimes when i give it a straight crank, it wont turn. so i have to ease the key into the turn position and it'll start everytime. what is that due to?

-MikeC