I\'m at my wits end over an electrical issue. The Falcon won\'t start.

We finally got the new engine in the Falcon. It has been a real trying experience to say the least. We got it all hooked up and tried to start it the engine to break the cam in. I put a new battery in and turned the key. Nothing at all! No click of the starter solenoid, no headlights, no dash lights, no dome lights. All we got was silence. I tried installing another new battery. I hit the switch the same thing again, nothing. I checked the power at the starter solenoid and we have 12 volts on the + side. If I run a jumper from the + side of the solenoid to the S post on the solenoid the engine turns over slowly and the lights try to come on. I did notice that the engine ground strap got hot and smoked a bit. I tested the power at the ignition switch, nothing. I tried power at the fuse block, nothing. I tested all the wires feeding the engine, nothing. Any ideas on what the problem is. Is it my ignition switch? I need to get this car running!Thanks for your help.
Len

Make absolute sure that the ground wire from the battery negative terminal to the engine is a good connection. Undue the bolt, scape the block clean so that you are not just counting on the threads to be your ground. Also make sure that there is a ground wire from the battery negative to the chassis. I have had the same type of problems in the past, and that was exactly what the problems were.
[addsig]

The battery is in the trunk. I have a ground going from the negative post of the battery to the frame. I have a ground strap going from the chassis to the block. Do I need another ground from the -negative side of the solenoid to the frame or engine?

Unless your using the new style of solonoid switch, there should be no ground to it. The coil in the solonoid switch, gets its ground from the mounting bracket. Are you using the solonoid switch that has the terminals on either side, or the new one that has them all on the front? It has the two big terminals on either side, you dont have to ground it. When you bolt it to the car, that is your ground.
[addsig]

I'm using the original old style. It has the the post sticking out the sides.
Len

Did you unwire the solonoid switch when you pulled the old motor? If so it's possible you may have reversed the wires from one side to the other?
[addsig]

And then the two small terminals, The s terminal should get 12V when the key is in the srart position. 9 times out of 10 the I terminal is not used, but if it is, it should send 12V to the positive side of the ignition coil only while the starter motor is turning. If your car has a balast resister, then this terminal will not be used. If the solonoid switch is on the passenger side inner fender, than the big terminal closest to the front of the car, should be the battery terminal (the one with more than one wire, and the other big terminal goes to the starter only. Once again, the bracket is the only ground to the solonoid switch. I hope this helps some.
[addsig]

Definately sounds like earthing (grounding) problem. Run a Jump lead between the battery - post and to the engine block. Not the heads, or inlet, but the block. Then also run a jump lead from the + battery post directly to the starter solenoid, the big terminal NOT connected to the starter motor. If now all OK then it is a grounding, OR positive feed problem. If still dead, then check the wires between the starter solenoid and the alternator, there is connection down this wire where all the vehicle power is taken from to run auxillaries, lights, ignition, etc (that is, if it is wired with an ammeter like Most Mustangs)

Rob

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: robbed666 on 7/21/03 2:05am ]</font>

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: robbed666 on 7/21/03 2:06am ]</font>

The solenoid should be wired correctly. I cleaned a good spot to clean metal under the bracket when I mounted it. So it should have a decent ground. The left side has the positive battery cable mounted the right side is mounted to the starter. I marked the S and the I before I disconnected the wires initially so they are connected correctly. I'm stumped.
Len