Wiring Woes K Swap

[lukeydoo]

Firstly, I have next to no idea about wiring (which is probably why this has happened!) so please post any answers like you're explaining to a 10 year-old.

I have wired in the K20a2 engine harness into the fuse box etc., relocated the battery to the front and followed the instructions from BottleFed to rewire the fusebox in the engine bay. I began attaching all the loom earths (the car was totally stripped for a rollcage and painting) and suddenly the starter turns over but the solenoid doesn't engage. This is all without the key even being in the ignition. I know I've made a very obvious mistake, but I can't figure out what!

Starter is wired direct to battery post, alternator goes to fusebox. The only thing that is slightly different, is the wire from the starter to the battery is white, whilst the one in the picture from MitchAutoParts's k swap guide is black.

Help!

[1979scotte]

Sorry can't offer any advice
Good on you for giving it a go cos the k20 swap is a vary rare thing on this forum.
Best of luck.

[shnazzle]

According to the stock wiring diagram, a black/blue cable goes from starter to battery (positive). A black cable goes from starter to starter relay via a loom.

Maybe relay issue? Or the wiring is bypassing the starter relay?

[Call the midlife!]

When you say the solenoid doesn't engage what do you mean exactly? I'm not sure if you're getting your terminology mixed up so bear with me.
The solenoid is what puts power to the starter motor when you turn the ignition so it sounds like you've possibly got your earths wrong somewhere?
If you've got a live feed directly to the starter that's earthed then you've got potential for a complete circuit, especially if the solenoid is maybe stuck in the closed position.

[lukeydoo]

When you say the solenoid doesn't engage what do you mean exactly? I'm not sure if you're getting your terminology mixed up so bear with me.
The solenoid is what puts power to the starter motor when you turn the ignition so it sounds like you've possibly got your earths wrong somewhere?
If you've got a live feed directly to the starter that's earthed then you've got potential for a complete circuit, especially if the solenoid is maybe stuck in the closed position.

I thought the solenoid pushes the starter into the flywheel? That's why it's whirring as it's not engaging with the teeth.

When you say I got the earths wrong, do you mean that missing some could cause this issue? If that's a possibility it's probably correct as I've only done the cabin earths and haven't added all of the engine bay earths.

Thank you for the responses 👍

[Call the midlife!]

There should be a direct earth to the starter or very close to it and a live to the starter, then some loom wiring from the ignition relay to the starter solenoid.
The ignition relay puts power to the starter solenoid and that closes the circuit to the starter motor, making it turn, the solenoid SHOULD also throw the pinion shaft out to engage with the flywheel but if you say the starter is turning without turning the ignition then it's a guess at wrongly wired and potentially stuck/dodgy solenoid.

[lukeydoo]

Solved the starter issue, I think! But ignition is still on without the key in it!

[lukeydoo]

IT WAS THE BLOODY STARTER MOTOR CAUSING THIS ALL ALONG!

A new starter fixed it!