© 1999 Directed Electronics, Inc. Vista, CA
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N430 9/99
How to find the (+)12V starter wire with your multimeter:
1.
Set to DCV or DC voltage (12V or 20V is fine).
2.
Attach the (-) probe of the meter to chassis ground.
3.
Probe the wire you suspect of being the starter wire. The steering
column is an excellent place to find this wire. Remember you do not
need to interrupt the starter at the same point you test it. Hiding your
starter kill relay and connections is always recommended.
4.
Turn the ignition key switch to the start position. Make sure the car is not in gear! If your meter reads
(+)12V, go to the next step. If it doesn’t, probe another wire.
5.
Cut the wire you suspect of being the starter wire.
6.
Attempt to start the car. If the starter engages, reconnect it and go back to step 3. If the starter does not
turn over, you have the right wire.
Step 3:
Making Your Wire Connections
Before making your connections, plan how your wires will be routed through the vehicle. For instance, the yellow
ignition input, the red 12V constant input, and the orange ground-when-armed output (for the optional starter kill
relay) will often be routed together to the ignition switch harness. In order to keep the wiring neat and make it harder
to find, you may wish to wrap these wires together in electrical tape or conceal them in tubing similar to what the man-
ufacturer used.
There are two acceptable ways of making a wire connection: Solder connections and crimp connectors. When prop-
erly performed, either type of connection is reliable and trouble-free. Regardless of whether you solder your
connections or you use mechanical-type crimp-on connections, ensure that all connections are mechanically sound
and that they are insulated.
Cheap electrical tape, especially when poorly applied, is not a reliable insulator. It often falls off in hot weather. Use
good-quality electrical tape or heat shrink.
Never twist-and-tape the wires together without soldering.
Never use “fuse taps,” as they can damage fuse box terminals.
If you use tapping connectors such as 3M T-Taps (not to be confused with Scotch-Locks), avoid using them in
higher-current applications (constant 12V, ground, etc.). Some tapping connectors are inferior in quality and should
be avoided.
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