OK, so I don;t have the EFI wiring harness in yet, but I don't think I NEED it for the engine to just crank. There are 2 small wires on the starter relay. One is 12v when the key is on, and I was assuming that the other was 12v when in the crank position. But that's not working out... There's a bunch of stuff not connected, so I think I'm just missing something stupid.
Also, the battery has been relocated to the trunk. I do NOT have a grounding wire to the chassis from the negative terminal, or a grounding strap from the block to the chassis. I ran 4 guage wire from the battery negative side to the block, and the positive side to the starter relay, I think.
Am I in the ballpark?
Thanks!
-Mike
if you plan on running EFI then you better add a few ground straps including the heavy one from the block to the chassis. the solenoid has 2 small terminals, 1 goes to the key switch and requires 12 volts when the key is turned to the start position to activate the solenoid to crank the starter, the other says "I" this your 12 volt coil wire which sends 12 volts to your coil in the crank mode (most coils run at about half voltage and require 12 volts only when cranking) If you are using an EFI like my 88 Turbo Coupe setup, then it requires 12 volts in the cranking mode sent to your TFI module harness on the distributer, this is where you tap into for that. If you don't use a good strong ground strap, then ground will find its way through a smaller wire and poof, there goes that wire. the suspension and drive line is all rubber mounted also making a poor ground. My advise....a good strap from chassis to block (a full size battery cable) add ground straps to your intake, and your turbo should also have a ground from the factory if you used the factory harness.
OK, that's very helpful, thanks.
The one thing I've seen that doesn't jive with what you're saying is the 12v cranking position wire. I know I SHOULD see 12v there when cranking, but according to my volt meter, it isn't happening. Could this be due to the lack of straps? Instead of 12v, the meter just goes nuts. There's no coil in the car right now, too. The wire for it is unplugged.
I'm using my SVO for a guide when I can't figure something out. I know about the strap that goes on the turbo, and that there are other grounds that need to be taken care of. I just wasn't sure if the lack of those would keep it from cranking.
I'll keep looking. Thanks for the advice!
Hello Mike,
The 1971 Pinto is equiped with a Neutral safety wire.
This wire is on the original harness and goes to the tranny.
If your Pinto was an Automatic this wire would go to the tranny neutral safety switch.
If It was a 4 spd.? then there is just a LOOP to by-pass the safety switch.
Essentially you must have that plug in place to make your Pinto crank.
This plug is square rubber with 2 male and 2 female conections.
I have included a photo for you.
Please let me know if I can be of further help.
From Pintony
Excellent catch Tony. I don't know how many times people have forgotton this neutral safety switch on the turbo swap but I'm sure its plenty. Tony gets another point for this one...............GOOD JOB>>>>>>>>>>>>> ;D ;D ;D ( check point count).
Hey Brad,
Thanks for the 1^ on my point count.
From Pintony
P.S. Hey Mike you could also "BYPASS" this plug by cutting the "Red" I think Wire and soldering together.
If you have an automatic? I do not recomend this procedure.
I'm thinking about cutting the loop and puting a "Noprmally Open" switch on my clutch pedal so I do not do what I did with the last Turbo Pinto I built, where I reached across and taped the key and my Turbo Pinto drove away W/O me. ;D
It was ugly REAL UGLY!
OK, I'll check that too. Â Thanks!
When I was driving to work today, I was running through all this in my head and I'm pretty sure that it's the lack of a grounding strap. Â I figure the starter relay is connected to the chassis, but there's nothing connecting the battery/starter/block to the chassis. Â I picked one up on the way home and should have an answer really soon!
That's a gold star for you, since that's exactly what it was!
I remeber pulling this little pigtail wire thing off the harness when I pulled the engine. It didn't go anywhere, so I figured it wasn't important.
What it was, was the plug you showed there. I didn't look closely enough when I removed it to see that one side was just a jumper. The other side went to a 2-pronged plug which was NOT connected to anything. That brings up the next question... What did that plug go to?
Thanks again guys, you saved me yet again!
Hey Mike,
The other two wires go the plug on back-up light switch on the tailhouse of the tranny.
You are running the T5 so you will need to splice the wires to run the t_5 boot that plugs to the T-5 switch.
My Pinto does not have back up lights so it matters little.
From Pintony
That's the exact same mistake I made and I can't believe I did'nt remember it. Good call.