A solenoid is a coil of wire wrapped around a metal core. When a current passes through the solenoid, it acts as a magnet. Solenoids have many applications, but one of the most common is powering up the starter of your automatic transmission vehicle. The starter solenoid gets a jump from the electric current passed from your battery, which in turn starts your vehicle. Sometimes, starter solenoids go bad. When that happens, you should be able to replace it yourself with relative ease.
Instructions
Things You’ll Need:
- Wrenches
- Socket set
- 1
Disconnect your negative battery cable with the wrench.
- 2
Locate your vehicle’s solenoid. This will vary to some degree with different makes and models. However, in many vehicles, it is mounted on the inner wheel well on the passenger’s side of the vehicle.
- 3
Remove the bolts holding the starter solenoid in place, using a socket set. Set the solenoid aside.
- 4
Mount the new starter solenoid exactly the same way the old one was mounted. Secure the new solenoid with the retaining bolts.
- 5
Remove the wires from the old solenoid using a screwdriver. Attach the wires to the corresponding terminals on the new solenoid. Do this one wire at a time to ensure that you connect the wires correctly.
- 6
Reconnect the negative cable to the battery.
