TR4/4A TR4A wiring - gear reduction & external solenoid?

[tdskip]

Hi guys - moving closer to getting the TR4A IRS up and running, and I have a question about the original external starter solenoid and a modern gear reduction starter.

Randall, I think you confirmed this once but in order to keep the original starter solenoid (that has the push-button) I need to jump the terminals on the gear reduction starter together. More specifically there is a small terminal that needs to be wired back to the larger post that connects back to the starter solenoid via the larger gauge wire.

Is that correct?

 

[DanB]

I can verify that for you, seeing as how I have tried every configuration with that silly Alterstart gear reduction starter chronicled in my thread, Alterstart.

Yes, connect the terminals together, so the power goes to the starter and its onboard solenoid at the same time. I have mine wired that way now. One big wire from the push button solenoid to the starter and a jumper on the starter. Make sure you have a good ground too.

Dan B
South Charleston, WV
66 TR4AIRS
80 TR7 DHC

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

Aloha Skip,

You are correct, you connect the built in solenoid on the gear reduction starter to the large terminal on the gear reduction starter. The large wire from the original TR4A starter solenoid also connects to the same terminal on the gear reduction starter. This will allow you to start the car in the same manner as if the original starter were installed.

Here is a link that shows the connection:

https://www.britishstarters.com/Solenoid_Bypass.html

 

[TR3driver]

There is an alternate method, which I prefer (naturally). What I did was move the original solenoid->starter wire to the input side of the original solenoid, so it is now hot all the time. Then I made up a new wire to go from the smaller terminal on the gear-drive starter, to the load side of the original solenoid.

That way, the original solenoid does not need to carry the full starter current, which should make its contacts last forever (and mine were already rather tired when I did the conversion).

 

[tdskip]

Aloha Dave - got it, thanks for the link. Happy Holidays to you.

 

[tdskip]

Thanks guys - appreciate the info Dan and Randall. I walked away and then hit submit so I didn't see your responses.

 

[tdskip]

Here is the content form the link (https://www.britishstarters.com/Solenoid_Bypass.html)


<span style="font-style: italic"><span style="font-weight: bold">Solenoid Bypass Information</span>

Solenoid Bypass instructions:
Many of you own cars that came with an external solenoid for use when starting the car. It is usually mounted on the firewall or on the side of the engine bay. The use of this solenoid may still be retained by following these easy instructions:

Our Nippondenso starter has two electrical terminals on it. This starter may be used in both positive and negative ground cars so, I will refer to the terminals as the "big" terminal and the "little" terminal so as not to confuse you. The big terminal has the nut on it while the little terminal( solenoid terminal) has a shielded black cover over a small male (spade) push terminal. With a 4 inch piece of wire(14 or 16 gauge will do) connect these two terminals together.
To do this you will need to buy a female connector to crimp on one end of the wire (goes to the small terminal) and a ring connector for the large terminal. That is all there is to it! If this just confused you, please give us a call or drop us an email. We'll be happy to assist you.

If you would like to buy this small wire ready to go from us. We will be glad to make you one. Cut, crimped, and ready to go for $6.95

</span>


Oh, and I have a working starter now too.