LS1TECH - Camaro and Firebird Forum Discussion

Conversions & Swaps LSX Engines in Non-LSX Vehicles
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Help me understand starter wiring

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 1, 2016 | 07:24 AM
Share
  #1  
casias's Avatar
casias
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
10 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 495
Likes: 4
Default Help me understand starter wiring
I have a new wiring harness for ls swap in my Durango. One of the leads is labeled "large lug on starter", and the fuse box has a relay labeled "ignition relay".

There are 3 lugs on the starter. I am assuming one needs to be large gauge directly to battery. I am not understanding which of the two large lugs is which. One should be battery and one should come from the harness.

Does the one from the harness trigger the starter? There is also a small lug on the starter. What does it do?

Pictures.

thanks

Name: DCE1A856-558B-42DC-B6AE-37154EEDA94A_zpsnntgqwqp.jpg Views: 14321 Size: 1.29 MB


Name: 25DE9999-A0B9-430C-915E-163C6678DB09_zpsjziiqxhg.jpg Views: 9261 Size: 1.53 MB
Reply
0
Old Jul 1, 2016 | 07:33 AM
Share
  #2  
JoeNova's Avatar
JoeNova
Restricted User
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 7,192
Likes: 109
From: Ohio
Default
Starter only needs 2 wires to function.

1 from battery, 1 from ignition switch. The third post is a jumper.
Reply
0
Old Jul 1, 2016 | 07:37 AM
Share
  #3  
casias's Avatar
casias
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
10 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 495
Likes: 4
Default
Originally Posted by JoeNova
Starter only needs 2 wires to function.

1 from battery, 1 from ignition switch. The third post is a jumper.
Does it matter which is which? I can't see any markings that show they are different.
Reply
0
Old Jul 1, 2016 | 07:42 AM
Share
  #4  
EFIHARNESS's Avatar
EFIHARNESS
Launching!
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 220
Likes: 3
Default
One of the large posts goes to the starter motor.
The other goes to the battery.
The small lead triggers the starter. Steve
Reply
0
Old Jul 1, 2016 | 07:46 AM
Share
  #5  
Doug G's Avatar
Doug G
10 Second Club
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,467
Likes: 193
From: Harford Co. Maryland
Default
Name: 2006-08-06_205557_ja2.jpg Views: 22778 Size: 29.2 KB
Reply
0
Old Jul 1, 2016 | 08:42 AM
Share
  #6  
casias's Avatar
casias
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
10 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 495
Likes: 4
Default
Originally Posted by EFIHARNESS
One of the large posts goes to the starter motor.
The other goes to the battery.
The small lead triggers the starter. Steve
Ok. Wonder why my harness said "attach to large lug on starter", or something like that. I guess I need to pull it out and look again.

Thanks
Reply
0
Old Jul 1, 2016 | 10:42 AM
Share
  #7  
squarles67's Avatar
squarles67
TECH Regular
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 487
Likes: 6
From: Orange, Texas
Default
Originally Posted by casias
Ok. Wonder why my harness said "attach to large lug on starter", or something like that. I guess I need to pull it out and look again.

Thanks
Main power to the fuse box is usually picked up at the starter on older vehicles, it's attached to the same lug as the main battery cable. Alternator usually attaches there also.

The small lug on the starter is the 12V trigger to the engage it.
Reply
0

Trending Topics

Old Jul 1, 2016 | 10:49 AM
Share
  #8  
casias's Avatar
casias
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
10 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 495
Likes: 4
Default
Originally Posted by squarles67
Main power to the fuse box is usually picked up at the starter on older vehicles, it's attached to the same lug as the main battery cable. Alternator usually attaches there also.

The small lug on the starter is the 12V trigger to the engage it.
Thank you so much. That explains it. So the original small starter lead, and main power wire that was connected to the original Dodge engine will still be used. They are bundled together, so I will attach the small one to the small lug on the LS starter, and the large one on the large lug on the starter.

The wire from the harness is a feed wire for the fuse box.

Now I get it. So what does the ignition relay in the fuse box do?

Thanks.
Reply
0
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 1, 2016 | 10:53 AM
Share
  #9  
squarles67's Avatar
squarles67
TECH Regular
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 487
Likes: 6
From: Orange, Texas
Default
Originally Posted by casias
Now I get it. So what does the ignition relay in the fuse box do?

Thanks.
Sorry but I can't help there, never worked on a Dakota. Might just be a means of not putting a heavy load through the ignition switch but that's only a guess.
Reply
0
Old Jul 1, 2016 | 02:32 PM
Share
  #10  
EFIHARNESS's Avatar
EFIHARNESS
Launching!
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 220
Likes: 3
Default
the ignition relay is to turn on the coils, injectors ,maf, Etc,
not the starter . Steve
Reply
0
Old Jul 1, 2016 | 02:44 PM
Share
  #11  
Taxman20's Avatar
Taxman20
TECH Resident
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 976
Likes: 1
From: San Marcos, Tx
Default
I didn't read the other replies here. But one of the large post should already have a cable connection the solenoid to the starter. You don't mess with that one. The other large pole gets a battery cable direct from your battery + terminal. The small terminal gets power from your starter relay. This relay gets the signal/power to close from your key being in the start position.
Reply
0
Old Jul 1, 2016 | 03:45 PM
Share
  #12  
casias's Avatar
casias
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
10 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 495
Likes: 4
Default
Thanks for all of the replies. Just don't want to connect something wrong and smoke my harness.
Reply
0
Back to Subforum
Conversions & Swaps
View Next Unread
Need a quieter muffler




Advanced Search

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:19 PM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE