Hello All,

I want to hookup a remote start swtich so I can crank the engine over from the engine bay while doing a compression test. Where is the best place to get to the solenoid switch line?

My plan was to open up the Power Distribution Center, and pull out the starter relay. Then put pin extensions into the PDC sockets for Relay Pins 30 and 87 (power and solenoid line). Then attach my remote start switch across these two pins.

Any objections?

Is there a better way to do this?

My truck has an automatic trannny, so as long as I have it in Park or Neutral, there should be no nasty surprises right?

All input is appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

 

That will work fine

 

I usually connect it directly on the starter... I haven't done it on my Ram yet, but that is how I have always done it on other vehicles in the past.

 

im with cartman on this one, ive always hooked directly to the starter on all the engines ive compression tested

 

You do realize the way he explained it, he basically will be doing just that.... correct? Removing the relay gives un-rig'd up access right to the solenoid trigger wire. You can't easily crawl under and undo the connector to get direct access without removing the starter on his 01. If the both of you (EricCartman & terribleswiss) decide to do it that way, please make a vid so I can be entertained

 

Yes, I realize it is essentially the same. But, like I said, I have not done it on my truck yet... so I can't say if it is a PITA or not. Every other vehicle I have owned was easy enough to clip straight to the starter. Plus, for some reason it seems a little less sketchy than dangling power wires in the PDC. Just my 2 cents...

 

Lol its all good. I was joking about the video (unless you want to :-P), but can assure you it isn't as easy as grabbing the wire at the pdc. The 01's (might have started in 99), the solenoid connector at the starter end is a double lock connector, and have to remove the starter to get to it like i said earlier. If your concerned about doing it inside the pdc, the same can be acomplished by disconnecting the gray connector on the side of the pdc and doing it there, but you still need to grab power. Will achieve the same result again, but whatever floats your boat

 

as long as you use a switch i don't see there being a problem. i would not recommend just using bare wire. i hot wire the starter on my truck all the time.

 

Thanks for the info guys.

pcfixerpro is right in assuming my concern is that it is a pita to get at the starter wires. I remember removing the starter before to secure the flywheel, and recalled that the wires were very inaccessible. That's why I want to do it from the top of the engine if possible.

cartman, and swiss, thanks for the input... but I am getting lazier as I get older, so will stick with the PDC access :-)

crazywolfe, do you just run a wire from the solenoid up to under the hood, and then just touch it to the battery when you wanna crank the engine (so you can see the comp gauge as you do it)?

I found a switch at Princess Auto (cheap chinese tool importer) for $8, so I think I will pick one up for this weekend.

Thanks again guys.

Cheers,
Chris

 

i just use the stock wire that runs to the solenoid. i just unplug the starter relay and run a wire from the battery to the wire that goes to the solenoid just like you were planning on doing.