Bypass solenoid on Starter

[ladyharley]

Can anyone explain to me detailed how to bypass the solenoid on the starter?  It's on a 1979 Chevy Bonanza P/U.  I think it is something like I can connect a wire somewhere on the starter and bring it up through the engine and touch the + on the battery?  My solenoid whirrs when I try to start and after turning it off and starting it again, it connects.  Just want to know in case of an emergency..

Thanks..

[78 Chevyrado]

Can't remember if this will work on one of these trucks, but I used to have a big old flat-head screw driver in my old buick just for this.

All you have to do is short together the two big terminals on the solenoid.  One is from the battery to the solenoid, one is from the solenoid to the starter motor.    I cant remember if the terminals on our trucks are setup so thats easy or not.

It was on my buick, back then if you turned it off hot, that was it, had to start it with the screwdriver from underneath.

BE CAREFUL you dont short the thing directly to ground.  it makes lots of sparks!

[Irish_Alley]

the spinning sound, sound more like a bad starter than solenoid. if it was the solenoid it would click.

[bake74]

     78 chevyrado and Irish are both correct.  Think of the starter solenoid as the go between for the battery and starter.  The solenoid has 3 tabs on it, 1 is hot (12v + from battery ) constantly, 1 is a direct link to starter itself, and 1 is for the starter position on the key switch.
     So when you turn the key switch to the start position, it basically energizes (allows power) to go from the tab (b+) to the starter tab therefor turning over the starter.  Other wise your starter would always be energized and trying to spin.
     If the starter goes bad or the solenoid starts to go bad, you can get clicking or the sometime "whirling" as you described.  To bypass the solenoid you do as 78chevyrado said and direct connect b+ tab to starter tab and you have now bypassed the solenoid function of the starter. 
     If this works every time, some starter you can just replace the solenoids.  But my suggestion is try to either replace solenoid or whole starter as soon as possible, this is a quick fix, but it can also possible short out key switch and other electrical items, if you short out the starter wrong or just happen to touch the wrong tabs together for too long, besides who wants to keep crawling under the truck to start the truck.    

     By the way welcome to the site, stop by the members section on here and introduce yourself so everyone can say hi.   

[Irish_Alley]

lol i need to rephrase what i said before. the spinning sound is the gear (bendix) on the starter turning but its not being kicked out by the plunger in the solenoid. what i was meaning before was trying to jump the starter wont fix this problem when you cant get it started. it need to be replaced. if it was just clicking then the jumping method works. sometimes you can tap the starter with a hammer/screwdriver and it will fix the problem for a while this is most likely a ground problem in the starter motor itself. and bake most starters being sold today will have 4 post you just dont use the other small post

[ladyharley]

Wow guys that's that was all the information I wanted.  I know the starter has a lifetime warranty, so I was told the spinning was the solenoid.  I bought the solenoid and starter together a long while ago,  so perhaps I just need to take it off and use the lifetime warranty  :-)

Thank you guys..

[beastie_3]

They might not take the starter back if it shows markings from jumping it with a screwdriver. Keep that in mind.

[bigchevyc30]

anther thing to do besides getting under the truck alot and using a screwdriver is what i did since my ignition switch went out and i dont have the money or knowledge to replace it was i got a good heavy duty switch a good fuse and straight wired it so i flip the switch to get the starter going. i know im going to get flak for this but i dont even know how to replace the ignition switch or have the money to get it fixed at a shop since everyone says it would be 100-150 to replace. so for now this and a pair of pliers are my fix since the switch wont even engage move the shaft to the on position

[Irish_Alley]

bigchevy here you go
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php/topic,12525.0.html
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/Locksmart-Ignition-Lock-Cylinder-Keys/1980-Chevrolet-C30-1-ton-P-U-2WD/_/N-ilz51Z8ii3i?itemIdentifier=12470_319620_1927_
14$

They might not take the starter back if it shows markings from jumping it with a screwdriver. Keep that in mind.

when i worked at autozone the only thing we would look out for was,  someone put it on and it wasnt what was wrong with it or  broken nose cone