Packard Forum Index » Post-War (1946-54)

So....I swap starters between the 51 200 and the 51 400. The 400 starter had a 2 post block shaped solenoid whereas the 200 had a single post, round type solenoid. On the 400, one wire went to the ignition start button, the other to the voltage regulator. In the 200, I would have to assume that it went to the ignition start button because I didn't look to see where it went to prior to diconnecting it. If more info is needed, I can get it later this evening. I didn't think to look at the regulator to see what the tabs may have stated. I'm thinking of this stuff while I'm at work and away from the cars.

HotRod

The wire from start switch goes to the solenoid on the 200 starter. The coil ground is internal on those.

Some of the earlier senior cars had a "safety" feature that grounded the solenoid coil thru the generator. Those had the two wire solenoids and the second wire ran to the "ARM" or "GEN" terminal on regulator. If the engine was not running, because of the internal generator configuration there would be ground thru the generator windings as long as the generator was not producing voltage. Once engine started and voltage from generator was present and equal to battery voltage then there would be no more ground potential available and the solenoid could not be accidentally energized.

The feature was common on senior cars prior to 51 but maybe some carried forward into 51. The ground circuit could be somewhat problematic and bulletins were issued. If a car had intermittent occasions of no cranking when starter was energized instructions were to disconnect the solenoid from regulator terminal and just ground the wire to the body.

Thanks Howard ! Now I know. The second wire is just a ground and not required with a 1 wire solenoid.

Cool Beans,
HotRod