1985 GL wiring question

I just bought the car. The previous owner thought the starter solenoid was out. You needed a screwdriver to start it. As it turns out, the wiring going from the key switch to the connector plug on the firewall is open somewhere. The connector (motor side) has a yellow/blue stripe wire (starter solenoid), a red wire, a black wire, and a yellow wire. There is one more on the chassis side but it does not have a motor side equivilant.

I have a shop manual coming in next week, but what I would like to find out from someone is what is the black and red wires are used for. The wires on the motor side had the wire insulation deteriorated off and were bare. I taped them up but the plug on the motor side also crumbled. I accidently cross-plugged the red and black wires. Now the car will turn over, but it won't start.

I am still getting 12v to the ignition coil. Any other tips on troubleshooting it?

Thanks,
a newbie

[Erling]

Starter motor wiring diagram:



Troubleshooting Guide - Click Here.

Regards,
Erling.

[Mike_Brace]

Red wire is alternator warning light, the black is oil pressure warning light. My guess the problem lies with the autobox inhibitor switch. If its a manual their is a loop wire plugged in on the left of the centre console this may have come out. On an auto this has two wires goint to box for inhibitor switch - stops it starting in gear - unplug and put loop wire in -be careful not to try starting in gear. I hope this cures your problem. Let us know.

Mike

It was the autobox inhibit switch. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[Mike_Brace]

Glad the problem is sorted - if you have bypassed the switch be very careful not to start in gear!

Mike

Will do. Thanks again for the help.

I did find out though, that the car has been wrecked. Someone recently hit the right side front crossmember real hard. The right front tire is about 2" back from where it should be. Broken motor mount and the crossmember is almost touching the oil pan. Getting that fixed wouldn't be too expensive. A local shop has the part on-hand. What bothers me is it leaked auto-trans fluid in my driveway where it was parked making me wonder if the tranny case is cracked. The car is in otherwise great shape and a friend of mine has owned it since 1990 (a friend of his son is who I believed wrecked it when he was looking into buying it recently) and he didn't know about the suspension damage. I was looking forward to buying it. I just don't want to open a can of worms.

This bbs forum reminds me of a motorcycle group I'm in, very friendly and helpful.

[Mike_Brace]

Broken engine mounts are more or lest standard on these. The cross member is very close to sump. The wheel being back is probably a bent wishbone - I've seen a few - they are designed to collapse in an accident. Leak from tranny is most likel to be seals. These cars take a hell of a bang to do serious damage. Many years ago I had one roll down a hill through a wall, down a near sheer drop and onto its side. The repair job was new engine gearbox mounts, replacement front panel, bonnet, wing and two doors and pull the sill out where it landed on a rock and top up fluids! It's now the pick-up in the picture below!

Mike

How hard is it to replace the autobox inhibit switch? If I don't purchase the car, another friend of mine is looking for one for his son to drive.

Also, what kind of gas mileage does the 2.3 get? Just curious.

Thanks again....

[Mike_Brace]

Can't say I've ever replaced switch - generally its a wire off on box or dirty contact. Consumption ranges from 22-30 mpg (UK gallons) On a run 28mpg is fairly typical.

Mike