QUOTE(rhodyguy @ Jun 15 2006, 02:12 PM)
the lord knows how old starter WITH the solenoid installed gave up. this was on the way to wcc04'. i called high perfomance house from eureka and rich/brad had one waiting for me. i installed right out in rich's side yard. i have had 0 starter issues since.
point is, i feel the "ford fix" gives the driver a false sense of security.
everybody knows about keeping the bat term clamps and posts clean. snip the end, say 1", off the +lead for the starter at the battery end, and peel back the insulation. more often than not, the strands are covered with corrosion.
k
You guys are missing the whole point of why I use them.
First off I'll say again, it won't fix a bad or on the way out starter.
The Bosch solenoid has to see a
full 9 volts to engage, no 9 volts...no start.
The combination of 30+year old wiring, a bit of dirt in the solenoid and some heat means no 9 volts...no start.
The Ford solenoid
only needs to see
3 volts then it shoots 12 volts right to the Bosch solenoid...it starts.
My 914 had the hot start issue when I got it, I've now got 4 trouble free years with it on it.
My '67 bug has had one since 1991, it had the hot start issue with a brand new Bosch starter. I installed a ford solenoid and never had an issue again. I sold this car last year, the owner had me install a new (beefed) tranny and a new starter. He said he didn't want that ford crap on "his" bug and told me it was bunk, take it off.
4 days later it came back on a flatbed, new owner was hopping and I just said "I told you to leave that ford crap on."
I reinstalled the exact same solenoid and it started right up. Issue solved.
Between my labour and the tow it must have cost him a couple of bills.
I've got quite a few running them on bugs and busses around here with a very good success rate.
I really don't care if some of you think it's bunk...do as you like...spend hours, days and weeks looking for a phantom problem. Buy a new starter…hack into your wiring and run a new one from the switch to the solenoid.
I'll install a $12 ford solenoid in a half hour and wave to you every time I pass your driveway...hell, I'll even help you push.