Remote Hand Starter Switch

[Thomas S.]

I have a remote starter (cable type with momentary button) typically used to get the distributor cam or engine in the correct position for various maintenance operations. I know everybody has used these and I was wondering where the best hook-up is on a C2 327/340 - preferably somewhere up top in the engine compartment.

Tom

[Larry M.]

Re: Remote Hand Starter Switch

Tom:

The Chevrolet Service Manual gives a caution statement regarding using the remote starter switch on the Corvette. It can be done, but they recommend disconnecting other wires to prevent ignition switch damage. In the 1967 Service Manual this is found in Section 6M-11....for service procedures for testing the fuel pump. It states:

"Whenever the engine is cranked remotely at the starter, with a special jumper cable or other means, the primary distributor lead must be disconnected from the negative post on the coil and the ignition switch must be in the ON position. Failure to do this will result in a damaged grounding circuit in the ignition switch."

I have used a remote cranking cable many times in other old cars without doing this and saw no ill effects, but I have followed this instruction for my old Corvette.

FWIW.

Larry

[Thomas S.]

Re: Remote Hand Starter Switch

Larry,

Thanks for pointing that out. I didn't see that in the 63 shop manual (or couldn't find). I read somewhere else that if all the plugs are removed you can move things by turning the crank manually which may be the safer way to go. Definitely not looking to screw up the harness or burn through any fusible links.

Thanks again

Tom

[Larry M.]

Re: Remote Hand Starter Switch

Larry,

Thanks for pointing that out. I didn't see that in the 63 shop manual (or couldn't find). I read somewhere else that if all the plugs are removed you can move things by turning the crank manually which may be the safer way to go. Definitely not looking to screw up the harness or burn through any fusible links.

Thanks again

Tom

Agree that with the plugs removed, the engine should turn over by hand. For those engines without a bolt in the nose of the crank, you can probably use the fan belt (again, plugs out). But following the instructions above are not hard to do.........you just need to remember to do them.

No fusible links from the factory on Corvettes until 1967.

Larry

[Thomas S.]

Re: Remote Hand Starter Switch

Yes and in neutral as well

[Michael F.]

Re: Remote Hand Starter Switch

aw in neutral, sounds like a "gotcha" moment, been there done that in my younger days

[Ralph E.]

Re: Remote Hand Starter Switch

OP, was wondering where the best hook-up is on a C2 327/340 - preferably somewhere up top in the engine compartment.

To help the rest of us on the slow team could someone tell us where to make the connections.

Larry thanks for the heads up to the CSM 6M-11.

[Joe C.]

Re: Remote Hand Starter Switch

I have a remote starter (cable type with momentary button) typically used to get the distributor cam or engine in the correct position for various maintenance operations. I know everybody has used these and I was wondering where the best hook-up is on a C2 327/340 - preferably somewhere up top in the engine compartment.

Tom

The engine harness splits before it reaches the battery with part of it heading down to the starter. I broke into the downward heading branch of the harness up high, right after the split and installed a spade connector onto the purple wire going to the solenoid. I leave that spade connector exposed all the time but you can tape it back into the harness if it bothers you and un-tape it every time you need the remote switch. Jump the purple solenoid wire that you broke into to the positive battery terminal with the battery cutoff switch (if you have one) closed. Key off.

Instead of using a spade connector, you can strip a section of the ppl wire to clip onto. Wrap the entire bundle together with electrical tape or harness wrap. Unwrap next time you use the remote switch.

[Larry M.]

Re: Remote Hand Starter Switch

I have always made my jumper connections directly at the starter solenoid.........using smaller insulated alligator clips. But as Joe C has explained, it can also be done from above.

I would still probably follow the CSM advise I posted above, just to be on the safe side. NOS/original ignition switches are becoming more difficult (and expensive) to locate anymore.

FWIW.

Larry

[Bruce B.]

Re: Remote Hand Starter Switch

Simple, one wire to the purple solenoid terminal (small terminal closest to the block) and the other to the large power terminal on the solenoid.
Done this many times and have never had any subsequent electrical problems.

[Ralph E.]

Re: Remote Hand Starter Switch

Simple, one wire to the purple solenoid terminal (small terminal closest to the block) and the other to the large power terminal on the solenoid.
Done this many times and have never had any subsequent electrical problems.

Making sure I understand the remote hand starter connections correctly,
Disconnect the negative lead at the battery.
Connect the remote starter leads, one lead to the Purple solenoid "S" terminal and the other lead to the large power terminal "B"
Disconnect the coil negative wire from the coil and turn the key to on.
Reconnect the battery.
Then just press the remote starter to bump the ignition a bit as needed.

[Bruce B.]

Re: Remote Hand Starter Switch

Ralph,
Since after connecting the remote switch you bump the starter with the ignition key in the OFF position is is not necessary to do anything else such as disconnecting the neg. terminal at the battery or pulling the coil wire. With the key in the OFF position the coil will get no power.
If you disconnect the negative terminal at the battery you will not be able to bump the starter.
Bruce B

[Larry M.]

Re: Remote Hand Starter Switch

Ralph,
Since after connecting the remote switch you bump the starter with the ignition key in the OFF position is is not necessary to do anything else such as disconnecting the neg. terminal at the battery or pulling the coil wire. With the key in the OFF position the coil will get no power.
If you disconnect the negative terminal at the battery you will not be able to bump the starter.
Bruce B

Bruce:

See Post #2. I agree that I have used the remote start on MANY (many) cars without following Chevrolet's advice and experienced no harm, but on my 1967 Corvette I prefer to follow their recommendation.

I don't know enough about the ignition switch internals, but apparently an internal ground circuit/connection could experience damage if their recommendation is not followed. Now, maybe it requires a LOT of engine cranking with the remote to cause damage, such as what occurs when doing a fuel pump test like the CSM Section 6M-11.

Take it for what it's worth. Maybe it was a young GM electrical engineer's first assignment in writing a service manual

Larry

[Ralph E.]

Re: Remote Hand Starter Switch

Bruce:

See Post #2. I agree that I have used the remote start on MANY (many) cars without following Chevrolet's advice and experienced no harm, but on my 1967 Corvette I prefer to follow their recommendation.

I don't know enough about the ignition switch internals, but apparently an internal ground circuit/connection could experience damage if their recommendation is not followed. Now, maybe it requires a LOT of engine cranking with the remote to cause damage, such as what occurs when doing a fuel pump test like the CSM Section 6M-11.

Take it for what it's worth. Maybe it was a young GM electrical engineer's first assignment in writing a service manual

Larry

My confusion is the key being on or off. Seems to me if the key is off as Bruce stated then there is no power to the coil.
I know this may seem silly to you guys but I would hate to do damage to any part of the electrical system.

[Larry M.]

Re: Remote Hand Starter Switch

My confusion is the key being on or off. Seems to me if the key is off as Bruce stated then there is no power to the coil.
I know this may seem silly to you guys but I would hate to do damage to any part of the electrical system.

Ralph:

When I used the remote starter on most cars (not my 1967 Corvette), the key is in the off position in the ignition switch. I connect the leads to the remote starter switch to the starter solenoid "S" terminal (one with the purple wire) and to the starter solenoid "B" terminal (this is the battery positive (+) cable connection). Then I use the remote switch to bump the engine.

Now according to the Chevrolet Service Manual they want you to

1. Remove the black wire between the coil negative (-) post and the distributor. This effectively takes the distributor out of the electrical circuit and prevents the coil from firing.
2. Put the key in the ignition switch and turn the switch to RUN or ON position (same position, just different terms). This puts voltage to the coil positive (+) post thru the ignition switch, but this does not hurt anything. The coil cannot fire with the distributor out of the circuit (#1 step)
3. Hookup the leads to the remove start switch like I just mentioned above. Or break into the purple wire somewhere in the engine compartment and use this connection instead of the "S" terminal connection on the starter solenoid. If you do this, then simply hook the other lead of the start switch to the battery positive terminal (+) rather than trying to connect it down at the starter solenoid.
4. Use the switch to bump the engine.

When you energize the starter solenoid "S" terminal by any means, it puts voltage to the starter itself PLUS it also puts voltage to the coil positive (+) terminal from the solenoid "R" terminal. So regardless of how you do it, the coil (+) post will get 12 volts power. Now this means that the ignition switch will also see this voltage since it is connected to the coil thru its own separate pink wire. Apparently if the ignition switch is OFF position it is internally grounded. The Chevrolet Engineers did not want a continuous or long duration current flowing back thru the ignition switch to internal ground. So they issued the CAUTION in the Chevrolet Service manual.

Is this a big deal?? It probably doesn't hurt things either way you do it, as long as you do it for a few seconds every so often.........and not for a long time like would be required to test out a fuel pump for pressure and flow capacity.

So you be the judge on which way you want to do it. As I said before, I never paid this CAUTION statement any mind for YEARS. but now having read it and seen it, I simply do what it states to avoid any possibility of an issue.

Take this for what it's worth............this is my final post on this subject for awhile.

Larry