[302PONY]

Ive been hsving problems with my starter since i accidently touched both post of the battery. My battery was "fried" so i got new optima redtop and new battery cables relocated to trunk, new ignition switch, and heavy duty starter solenoid. The battery ground wire is secured onto the frame of the car for good ground. When i attempt to start it the solenoid gives me a grinding sound. I checked my starter at AutoZone and they said it was fine. My headlight wiring harness isnt in best shape, but would it effect my starter from turning? Also my engine ground wire isnt in best shape either and neither is my engine feed wire. I tried jumping the starter with a screw driver but it still gives me that grinding sound. Should I replace my fuses? It was starting perfect ever since my other battery was "fried".....Any Suggestions???

[EvilPuppet]

Hi
I had similar issue but in my case battery was drained so it could not really catch and turn the engine, however starter was making lot's of noise...

I know you said you bought the new battery but is it possible that it's not charged?

[Veronica]

Hello. Assuming that the positive cable is of the correct gauge, your problem is alomost certainly a ground problem. How most folks do the negative cable on the trunk-mounted battery is to attach it to either one of the bolts holding either the back bumper bracket or the trunk latch, both of which are fine. However, this does create a pretty long circuit. You have the positive cable going all the way from the back of the car to front to the starter solenoid, another cable going from the starter solenoid to the starter itself, which is grounded to the bell housing, the engine ground strap to the firewall, and then it's using the entire length of the car to complete the circuit. If your car is not an early 65 Shelby, which is supposed to have a trunk-mounted battery, then 'correct' isn't really an issue for you. I would first replace the engine ground strap with a brand new wire that's at least a 10 gauge, and I would also run a brand new, also 10 gauge wire from where I had attached my negative battery cable all the way up to the front of the car and attach the other end to one of the bolt holes on the back of the passenger side cylinder head, where the engine ground strap is supposed to go, and zip tie the new wire to positive battery cable in a few places to keep it from hanging down and getting snagged on something while going down the road. But, that's just me.

[Faith No More]

I had a similar problem with my '65, which had an electric starter [wtf right?] Anyways; turns out my problem was the Alternator and/or the External Regulator [good policy to replace the reg. every time you replace the Alternator.]

It's very possible that when you fried your battery, you fried your regulator or alternator too. But also, check all your wiring from your battery to your alternator, and to your relay, [im assuming the 64 1/2 have a relay like most do.] and out of your relay. Since you tapped the two post, you could have gotten a wire really hot and it's grounding out somewhere it shouldn't due to bare wires.

[HighDesert65]

Originally Posted by 302PONY

Ive been hsving problems with my starter since i accidently touched both post of the battery. My battery was "fried" so i got new optima redtop and new battery cables relocated to trunk, new ignition switch, and heavy duty starter solenoid. The battery ground wire is secured onto the frame of the car for good ground. When i attempt to start it the solenoid gives me a grinding sound. I checked my starter at AutoZone and they said it was fine. My headlight wiring harness isnt in best shape, but would it effect my starter from turning? Also my engine ground wire isnt in best shape either and neither is my engine feed wire. I tried jumping the starter with a screw driver but it still gives me that grinding sound. Should I replace my fuses? It was starting perfect ever since my other battery was "fried".....Any Suggestions???

Morning, Could you possibly explain the grinding sound? Does the solenoid actually spring out and make contact with the flywheel? or could it be a clicking sound from the starter.....click...click...click, when you turn the key over? That would be low battery power. Not enough juice to turn the flywheel....so you hear a rapid click sound. Try another battery.....NOT jump the one you have.....jumping a dead cell will give you the same results.
The atl and reg should have nothing to do with the starting process, only after its running they are needed... but I could be wrong.
HD65

[302PONY]

yea maybe i should take it to autozone and get it charged. Thanks

[302PONY]

i was thinking to replace the engine wire on the firewall, headlight harness( wich connects to the starter), and starter regulator for assurance. thanks or Ill charge my battery since its new and hopefully itll fix my problem right away. My goal is actually to replace the floorpans this winter but i need to get my mustang started to warm up during the winter asap.

[429ragtop]

what gauge wire?