Will not start after connecting cables incorrectly

GAGGER BURNS

MEMBER
2006 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
3.8L
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
220,000 MILES

Recently changed out transmission my buddy put the starter back in. While I was finishing up top he inadvertently hooked a chassis ground cable up to the starter with the positive wires. Needless to say we hooked up cables to jump start it and they started to smoke and melt I jerked them off, the car hasn't started with the key since. I hooked up a toggle switch and if you turn the key to start let off and let the gauges go through the reset it starts right up. I've replaced all the relays fuses and even the fusible link still will not start with the key only I fried something I just can't figure out what.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Welcome to 2CarPros.

Take a look at picture 1. I circled the power supply direct from the battery. Is that where he put both the ground and positive? Also, you mentioned a toggle switch. Exactly where did you wire that? And do you use the toggle to actuate the starter or what? I'm a bit confused on that one.

I attached a schematic of the entire starting system wiring harness. Take a look through it and let me know if it helps. Also, I had to break it into a few pics for it to fit, but I did overlap it so you could follow it. If you look at picture 2, I highlighted the ignition relay. Did you replace that, too?

Here are a few link you may or may not need. They explain how to check wiring and use basic testing equipment. Also, the one link explains how to test a relay.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Let me know exactly which wire you cut to add the toggle switch and where it was cut.

Take care,

Joe

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Monday, July 8th, 2019 AT 8:42 PM

GAGGER BURNS

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Yes he put the ground cable on the stud with the two power cables. After looking at the pictures you sent (thank you by the way) all I can figure is I fried the purple wire itself.I have 12 volts at the hot on solenoid but nothing at s terminal. I have already replaced all ignition relays and fuses and tested the new ones to make sure they are operating correctly and I have power all the way out to the ignition relays just not from there to the s terminal. I didn't cut any wires I know better than that I just ran two wires to jump power to the purple wire at the solenoid. You have to turn the key to start and let the gauges go through their back and forth or the car will not start. If you just turn the key on and hit the toggle switch it will just crank and crank. So I'm pretty sure everything is mostly working like it should be. That's what's been driving me crazy I have pretty much replaced everything so far except for that purple wire itself and I did test everything with a multi-meter and a test light.

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Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 11:24 AM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,755 POSTS

Welcome back:

If you are just running power to the S terminal, then the purple wire is my first suspect. If you have power at the relay which sends power through that wire and nothing is happening, then it must be bad. And you already know that the purple wire S terminal only gets power in the start position of the key.

The only other way to confirm the wire is bad is to check it for continuity from end to end to see if there is an open in it.

Let me know what you find. I'm really interested to find if that is the problem.

Take care,
Joe

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Wednesday, July 10th, 2019 AT 8:33 PM