95 SHO - Solenoid Failure - Need diagram in order to replace part

[NYButterfly]

I have a 1995 SHO that has a bad solenoid (not the one connected to the starter) and although I have the replacement part, I am unable to locate the part in my engine in order to replace it.
I haven't been able to locate ANY online manuals or diagrams to help me and since it is dead in my driveway, I can't go buy one!
Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[SHOtimer]

The name of the solenoid would help. What is it called, and what does it do? What makes you think it is the problem? A little more info,
Doug

 

[sdpatt]

But the starter solenoid on the '95 SHO is on the starter. What other solenoid could you be referring to?

 

[Mr Anonymous]

Huh? The starter solenoid is the only solenoid in a SHO that would prevent starting. Maybe if you describe your problem in more detail and what exactly has led you to your current conclusion we can try to help you pinpoint the exact cause.

 

[NYButterfly]

I am confused on this as well...I thought there WAS only one...but the parts store looked it up on the computer and said there is a starter/solenoid that is about 70 bucks and come together as one unit AND there is another part that is JUST the solenoid.
(could it be the relay or something? although even my receipt says solenoid headbang )..
it cost me 18 bucks...
it is shaped like a D size battery, only a bit wider and half the length...there are two long screws protruding..(there is also a metal bracket on the bottom of it to bolt it in place) .I am told that if this is bad, that a screwdriver can be place across the two bolts and the car will then start....
All fine and GOOD, except I can't locate the original one on my car....
I know a bit about the engine, not alot...
I am attempting to do this on my own without having it towed anywhere...the starter was replaced and from the sounds the starter made when it went, it isn't the starter this time......the battery is strong and fairly new....and after talking to my mechanic, he said it is possible it is this part that is bad...
it's my only vehicle and I am not a mechanic...hardly even a backyard mechanic....but from what I understand after talking to the parts guy and also researching it online, it is something that isn't too hard....
The one I bought as a replacement is a NAPA Echlin solenoid....it is listed as a relay in the auto manual (the manual info was told/read to me over the phone)
so now I'm even more confused

<small>[ May 10, 2003, 06:18 PM: Message edited by: NYButterfly ]</small>

 

[Mr Anonymous]

The starter solenoid they sold you is for the the earlier model SHO's without the integrated solenoid. Return it. If your problem is indeed the starter solenoid, it is about a $40 part that mounts directly to the starter.

The solenoid they sold you probably looks like this:



The one you want (again, presuming your solenoid is even the problem), looks like this:

Why don't you try to describe the problem you're having in more detail and perhaps we can help you identify the problem without spending money on "maybe it's the's..."?

 

[NYButterfly]

Thanks...the first photo IS what they sold me....
I have put SO much money in this car it's become the money pit!
I am sick of it already...but for now, it is my only car....I have replaced the starter 3 times...the mechanic said that with these cars, the oil changes cause oil to drip on it and short it out...true or not, I don't know...
I just put about a grand into it for tranny convertor...you name it....
I bought it new and already put a rebuilt tranny in,....along with every other thing that can be done....about to take a bat to it if I can't get it fixed....
so are you saying that what I was told about the screwdriver across the bolts to start it won't work on this car?

 

[NYButterfly]

Can you tell me WHERE the starter is located?
my mechanic is useless...I thought he was good and fair, but I have been stuck home for 3 days with him 'promising' to stop by to check it out....beyond frustrated and angry, I am trying to get it going on my own...
I try to start it, and the chimes, lights, etc...are on and strong...
then the sound it makes when it tries to start is odd....
trying to type what it sounds like is difficult too....
let's see.....
try to sound this out the way it's typed....

ahwoooooooooooooahh (but the sound isn't loud and it fades off fast) has the low tone of a deep low growl of a dog....
It is a sound under the hood and then at the end of the sound it is a rotating kind of low click ....the entire sound, start to finish only lasts about 5 seconds

<small>[ May 10, 2003, 07:21 PM: Message edited by: NYButterfly ]</small>

 

[NYButterfly]

SHOooo:
The starter solenoid they sold you is for the the earlier model SHO's without the integrated solenoid. Return it.

How could the parts place NOT have known when they looked up the exact year and engine type, etc....before telling me the part I'd need?
I talked to advanced auto and napa auto parts...
both said the one I bought is the right one....
now I'm really confused...

<small>[ May 10, 2003, 07:36 PM: Message edited by: NYButterfly ]</small>

 

[NYButterfly]

Called AAA and had a guy stop by to make sure my battery was good...it is...
he said he can tell by the sound that it's the relay...but was unable to locate the starter for me...said they are hard to find on these models
like I didn't already KNOW that!

 

[Mr Anonymous]

The starter is located on the front (technically left side, but the engine is mounted transversely) of the motor, directly below and slightly behind the oil filter.

It will look something like this (the starter will be oriented as pictured, but you won't actually be able to see the drive teeth -- this is a regular Taurus starter, not a SHO starter, but it will help you locate yours):

You might just need to clean all the terminal connections between the battery and the starter -- your mechanic was right in that changing the oil filter often douses the starter in oil and over time that oil can cause intermittent connection problems.

One thing you can try is banging on the starter with a hammer while someone else turns the ignition key. If it starts then that's a sign that the solenoid is failing. Your description is consistent with some sort of starter problem. You say you've had the starter replaced 3 times already, so I recommend going back to the shop that did it and trying to get them to give you a warranty replacement.

 

[NYButterfly]

Thanks...the description of where to find it helps...it's too dark outside now, but I will look tomorrow...
I did get one starter replaced under warranty, but the other wasn't covered because it had oil in it...
the hammering while starting is a good thing to try, thanks...is the starter easy to get to?

 

[NYButterfly]

still can't locate the starter....

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

NYButterfly:
is the starter easy to get to?

Not really.
It is kind of hidden. But if you have a new one then it should be easy to find (it would be the clean part )

Ill try to navigate you to it...

Get on your back perpendicular to the front bumper (so your body is lined up lengthwise with the car) and work your head under the car.

If you can see the oil filter you've gone far enough. Find the oil Filter, then look below it, and to YOUR right. Your starter should be in that viscinity (sp?).

Hope it helps! thumb

 

[NYButterfly]

Thanks, that was a great description to where the starter is...
unfortunately, I finally had to have it changed by my mechanic...the solenoid and starter are one unit on my car, he explained he COULD do the solenoid separately, but by the time the labor was factored in and if the starter then went as well, it made more sense to do the entire part for less labor
I was unable to get a warranty replacement due to oil in the starter from oil changes
Does anyone else have this problem with the starter during oil changes?
This should be a recall item for the problems encountered during oil changes...but I couldn't find anything on the starter in a recall search cry
NOW my 3rd gear is almost totally shot and I need a new tranny....Have about had it with this vehicle...it has 187 thousand on it, BUT, I put a rebuilt tranny in it 3 summers ago