Starter Wiring

[91gmblack]

Maybe this is the Forum:
Hi,
I'm finally doing the cable upgrades to the alternator and starting circuit of my 91 5.0.

My question is:
The small wire coming from the the fender-mounted relay to the starter. It terminates at the starter with a push-on clip.
Can this be improved upon?
(I would like to put a much larger wire if i can).

Also, does this wire have a fusible link?

Thanks,

[p71towny]

I don't think that moves any amps to worry about. Just make sure you have fatty batt cables and alt wire and all should be good..

[gadget73]

isn't this question somewhere else on here? I have been drinking, maybe its just alcohol deja-vu

[p71towny]

Bwhahahaa! no its in 5.0, 5.8 as well thain.

[1987cp]

I don't think that moves any amps to worry about. Just make sure you have fatty batt cables and alt wire and all should be good..

Actually, it moves enough current to fry the stock start switch if you bypass the relay and try to run current directly from the switch to the starter solenoid (ask me how I know). Of course, that may not be of much concern elsewhere in the circuitry if everything's stock.

If the starting circuits are suspect, it should be pretty easy to rewire them with heavier-gauge wires and/or an aftermarket relay if you want to, even with the stock dash in place. Just don't bypass the neutral safety switch if you're going racing or anyone else cares if it's operational. All I needed was to putter around town and break in the new motor, so I just ran a 10-gauge wire straight from battery +12 to a pushbutton start switch from NAPA and back to the starter solenoid. Once you have the wiring the way you like, it's easy to insert fusible links or even blade-type fuses wherever you want - say, out on the inner fenderwell where they're easily accessible.

[85crownHPP]

lol - so in essense you downgraded the wire in question

[1987cp]

Not really. Look at your stock wire - it's about 14 or 16 gauge.

[85crownHPP]

I think the wire in question is 10 gauge.

edit: I was referring to when you ran the igntition switch output to the starter's solenoid itself - that was definitly a downgrade. Sounds like its good to go now

[1987cp]

Whoops, sorry. I'll have to look at my old wiring harness again when I get a chance. The pushbutton is annoying, though, so I'll have to change that eventually.