I haven't seen in your responses yet whether or not you confirmed that the purple start wire isn't doing anything (at the starter solenoid). That's step one.
With ignition key in the start position, the wire should illuminate a test light, or give you 12 volts-ish on a meter.

 

Hey guys, sorry I haven't been responding. I was at my in-laws in Toronto so my phone was off and my wife would have hurt me if she saw me on Camaro Forums while my car was 3k miles away haha. Thanks for the responses I am chasing down that purple wire now and seeing where we are at.

 

Hey guys great news! I traced the wires and found the purple(ish) wire from the starter to the ign. switch and verified its integrity and function. I then took all the 3 wires to the starter, cut em, and put new connecters on them. Then I hooked the 2 Red wires to the batt terminal on the starter and then took the Purple wire and put it to the "S" terminal and after charging the battery she fired right up! Let her run for a couple minutes and she shut right off. Tried to start it again and she fired up again!

Thanks again for all your guys help, it has been instrumental!

Cody

 

You have an HEI ignition system in this car or an old points style distributer?

There are way too many wires going to your starter and there is no ground post. There are a total of 4 terminals on the back of the solenoid. Ground is supplied buy the engine block.

Battery In (this is for the main battery cable "A")
Battery Out (this connect directly to the starter "B")
Ignition Switch in (This is 12v needed to power the solenoid "S" in the below diagram)
Ignition out (this is for out going 12v to the distributor Pre HEI only "I" in the below diagram)

The only reason the ignition out terminal is on there is so the starter will fit just about any small block, it has no use on a HEI car (1975 or later)

The solenoid itself is very simple. 12v goes into the solenoid and creates a magnetic field that pulls the arm back. A copper plate connect Battery In and Battery out



I would also be worried about the other wires that are coming off the starter cable. Those cables are rubbing against the block and they have no type of fuse. That is a fire hazard. if those wire wear through and short they will heat up till they melt. Melting copper will ignite anything with a low flash point.

 

Then what are you suggesting that I do? All I know is that through my research of this and other forums the solution that I have on my starter was suggested more than once and every time it was the OP has came back and said it works... I def want it to be the right way, so please help.

Your pic is just showing up as a question mark...

 

If it works, and the system is charging the battery, I'd leave well enough alone.

 

Sorry I missed the whole second page of posts. Everything I said was already gone over. A quick comment, This car looks like it might have had a hack working on it. To work on these hack jobs can take a lot of time and a good understanding of how everything works. If you are going to keep the car long term you might want think about a painless harness and just replace everything. It should take one or 2 weekend and is more mechanical then electrical to install.

If you do not do that then you need to be sure all wires have some type of controlled weak point, either a fuse or a fusible link. I have seen guys working under dashes accidently ground a wire coming from a battery cable. With a in dash fire your priorities will quickly change from saving your car to saving your garage.

 

congrats! glad to hear its running corectly! now i would go through pretty much each and every wire on the car starting with the engine compartment (when its warmer of course) and just make sure you are comfortable and trust all of the wires in the car and you will probably find a ton of shody repairs. but its all in the fun!!!


also 81ana what state you in?

 

I'd 2nd this! The replacement harness systems are a great idea for those cars that have been chopped and hacked on their wiring. The price can seem tough to swallow for some, but considering all the future headaches they save, they're well worth it!
I put replacement harness systems in my last two cars, and it's a two day job that makes for many years of trouble free driving! Great peace of mind!