Starter solenoid

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Starter solenoid is a part of an automobile ignition system. Also called a starter relay, the starter solenoid receives a large electrical current from the car battery and a small electrical current from the ignition switch. When the ignition switch is turned on (when the key is turned to start the car), the small electrical current tells the starter solenoid to relay the large electrical current to the starter motor.

Starter solenoids can also be built into the starter itself, often visible on the outside of the starter.

The starter solenoid is usually easy to locate under the hood of a car by following the positive (red) cable from the battery, which should lead directly to the solenoid. Then, the solenoid will have another cable of similar or equal weight which will go down to the starter, which is normally accessed from the bottom of the vehicle. The solenoid will also have a third wire, which comes in from the starter switch.

If a starter solenoid receives insufficient power from the battery, it will fail to start the motor, and may produce a rapid clicking or clacking sound. This can be caused by a low or dead battery, by corroded or loose connections in the cable, or by a fried positive (red) cable from the battery; any of these will result in some, but not enough, power to the solenoid, which is insufficient to pass the power to the starter, which causes the solenoid to click and clack.

[edit] References

• Starter solenoid