how does the wiring work on the Solenoid posts?

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   What wires go where?  I know the battery goes on one side (forward?) and the starter wire on the other (rear-towards firewall).  However at present I am flummoxed as I think everything is in the right place and indeed the car starts.  However the starter won't disengage once the motor starts.  

I downloaded a wiring diagram from the other Ranchero forum (ranchero us com).  However I can't seem to figure out where the Safety Start switch wires are nor what wires are which on the Start Solenoid and which poles they attach to.  The wire colours in the diagram don't seem to quite match the car.

This Ranchero runs great, it's just getting the wiring right.

At the moment, I turn the switch on and the starter engages immediately and stays going after the motor starts.  I may be somewhat ignorant about Fords but even I know that isn't how it should work!

Any ideas?

Please help, I really need to get this car running and driving.

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studeclunker Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 30-July-2025 Location: Northern Calif. Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote studeclunker Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: how does the wiring work on the Solenoid posts? Posted: 25-September-2025 at 10:13PM
	What wires go where? I know the battery goes on one side (forward?) and the starter wire on the other (rear-towards firewall). However at present I am flummoxed as I think everything is in the right place and indeed the car starts. However the starter won't disengage once the motor starts. I downloaded a wiring diagram from the other Ranchero forum (ranchero us com). However I can't seem to figure out where the Safety Start switch wires are nor what wires are which on the Start Solenoid and which poles they attach to. The wire colours in the diagram don't seem to quite match the car. This Ranchero runs great, it's just getting the wiring right. At the moment, I turn the switch on and the starter engages immediately and stays going after the motor starts. I may be somewhat ignorant about Fords but even I know that isn't how it should work! Any ideas? Please help, I really need to get this car running and driving.

aquartlow Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 19-December-2011 Location: Summerfield, Fl Status: Offline Points: 2341	Post Options Post Reply Quote aquartlow Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 25-September-2025 at 11:12PM
	Make sure the starter solenoid has a good clean ground where the two self-tapping screws attaches the solenoid to inner fender. If it looks good, you may want to replace the solenoid. I have had this happen to me a couple of times, ended up replacing the solenoid both times.
	www.supermotors.net/22468 Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone.

studeclunker Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 30-July-2025 Location: Northern Calif. Status: Offline Points: 5	Post Options Post Reply Quote studeclunker Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26-September-2025 at 6:12AM
	Thank you for the reply. I already replaced the Solenoid. Put the wires back exactly where I originally found them. However the starter still won't disengage and shut down.

californiajohnny Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Moderator Group Joined: 05-October-2013 Location: winlock, wa Status: Offline Points: 14723	Post Options Post Reply Quote californiajohnny Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26-September-2025 at 6:59AM
	do you have a 1 wire solenoid or a 2 wire solenoid? maybe the 2 small wires are on the wrong terminal? try disconnecting the small wire closest to the battery cable turn the key on, then jump a scrap piece of wire from the battery terminal to that terminal to start it remove that temp wire as its running... is the starter not engaged? (working normal)
	JOHN 74 GRAN TORINO S&H CLONE 74 VETTE CUSTOM 90 S10 BLAZER 4X4 LIFTED 77 CELICA CUSTOM 75 V8 MONZA SUPERCHARGED 79 COURIER VERT. SLAMMED 75 VEGA V6 5 SPD 70 CHEV C10 P/U 68 MUSTANG FB CONVERSION

aquartlow Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 19-December-2011 Location: Summerfield, Fl Status: Offline Points: 2341	Post Options Post Reply Quote aquartlow Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 26-September-2025 at 9:32AM
	Have you load tested the battery? Make sure it is fully charged and in good condition! I've personally seen a battery that wasn't "up to snuff" cause this very issue, I've also had a window roll-up module for an alarm system I was installing into my Ranchero many years ago and couldn't figure out why the module's relay would not unlatch(it actually started overheating as I was working with it), even with a battery charger attached to my battery. I spoke with alarm supplier and he mentioned the load test, well my battery was bad. I installed a new battery and the module unlatched as it should. Hope this helps
	www.supermotors.net/22468 Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone.

aquartlow Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 19-December-2011 Location: Summerfield, Fl Status: Offline Points: 2341	Post Options Post Reply Quote aquartlow Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29-September-2025 at 12:37AM
	I have another thing to check, unless you've already found the culprit to the starter staying engaged. Pull the solenoid's starter engagement/trigger lead from the top of the solenoid, it comes from the ignition switch. Take a test light and use one end of it to make contact within the "plug in" connector, place the other end of the test light on the battery's ground terminal. Now go and cycle the ignition switch like attempting to start your Ranchero, does the test light go off/on/off while cycling and releasing the ignition tumbler or does it stay on? If it stays on or even delays to cycle electrically, the ignition switch or tumbler may be the culprit. Hope this helps
	www.supermotors.net/22468 Yeah, It's a Hybrid...It burns gas and tires. No matter how good she looks, somebody, somewhere, is tired of her sh*t. Beauty is skin deep, ugliness goes clear to the bone.

Michael L Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 28-May-2025 Location: Texas Status: Offline Points: 6	Post Options Post Reply Quote Michael L Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 29-September-2025 at 1:11PM
	It can also be the starter bendix drive is not returning off the flywheel. I would have some one start it and have it ready to quickly remove the starter power lead from the solenoid. If it does not disengage from flywheel it is the bendix. I don’t see that you mentioned if this was the problem before you replaced the solenoid?

Godabitibi Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 19-February-2026 Location: canada Status: Offline Points: 16	Post Options Post Reply Quote Godabitibi Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 19-February-2026 at 7:58AM
	Here is my thought. You have the ignition wire connected to the start wire terminal. When you turn your key ''on'' the positive goes to the coil and this wire is ALSO connected to the second small connector which is the ignition bypass wire when you start to give full voltage to the coil instead of resistance reduced to around 9 volts.
	anything with a motor