70 LS-5 starter wiring

[Jordan S.]

So tonight I experienced a hot start problem. I had previously noted a disconnected terminal/wire near the starter but wasn't experiencing any cold start issues. I put the car up on the lift and looked more closely.

As I unwrapped the elec tape, I noticed the loose wire was a short red segment connected to nothing(see pic). The fusable link cover was loosely sitting over a crimped connection between a large puple wire connecting to a red wire. Then there is a large red wire crimped to a smaller guage black wire( no fusible link cover). Third wire is a small red wire (not modified) and the black ground.
See pics below.

Here's my question: Which wire should have a fusible link? The large red or Large Purple? I have the doc rebuild schematic which shows a fusible link with 2 black covers in the red wire "B" indicating a spliced segment rather than the fusible link terminating at the starter solenoid. (No link in the purple wire to "s" terminal.) Does anyone have any pics of an unmolested starter harness?? Should I remove the current splices and repair or just cover with elect tape?

[Jack H.]

Re: 70 LS-5 starter wiring

Looks to me like our old friend Bubba has been in there working on your car! The factory AIM gives you the information you need in the wiring diagram section, UPC 12, Sheet D2.

The fusible link was a 12G red wire spliced to the 14G brown wire servicing the starter solenoid's 'Bat' terminal. The 12G purple wire connected to the solenoid's 'Start' terminal and ran, without interruption, to the ignition switch. Looks like Bubba moved the fusible link sometime in the past to the wrong wire!

The fusible link is there as an ultimate safeguard against down stream from the battery short circuits on branches that are un-switched/un-fused. As your pictures indicate, your car has essentially been un-protected for some time now, open to the threat of an electrical fire!

FWIW, I'd consider buying a fresh engine harness... The condition of your wires show CONSIDERABLE age/deterioration which isn't uncommon. Some of these were routed in pretty darn hostile locations absorbing heat stress from the radiation effects of the engine and exhaust manifolds.

You can probably repair and make what you have work again, but the insulation is obviously 'cooked' and the stranded copper inside is oxidized & brittle...

[Vincent F.]

Re: 70 LS-5 starter wiring

I agree with that, go for the new harness, save yourself future break downs, very easy to install as well.

[Jordan S.]

Re: 70 LS-5 starter wiring

Thanks for the replys. I really don't want to start re-wiring the car. Other than this, I don't see any evidence that Bubba worked on the car much. The insulation on the wiring is actually in very good condition. The oxidized wires are because these connections were barely covered with loose fitting, non-sticky electrical tape. What you see in the photo is a wooven covering (heat shield?) over the intact plastic insulation. It was likely peeled back when bubba did his repair.

I looked at the AIM and it shows the fusible link and two black connector covers exposed from the wrapped loom at the ground wire exit. Is this how it looks on your cars? I plan on picking up some fusible link wire and inserting it in line with the appropriate wire. (crimp connect , solder and shrink wrap.) I have an idea to reproduce the appearance of the molded on black covers. If it works, I'll post pics. I'll get some purple wire and repair that one as well. (Solder and shrink wrap).