Anyway to test the starter solenoid?

[chuck489]

I replaced the battery (with a used Optima battery I acquired) and the positive battery cable going down to the starter solenoid. The Bronco fired right up with no issues. A few days later I went to go somewhere and she was DEAD. I hooked up some jumper cables and got nothing. I went to re-adjust the cables and there was smoke coming from the solenoid. The cables were hot. Yes...I triple checked and had the jumper cables on correctly. I am assuming the solenoid is bad. I just don't want to replace it and then discover there was another problem.
Is there anyway to determine that the solenoid is bad before I replace it?

 

[Viperwolf1]

Does it do anything when you put 12V on the "S" terminal?

Might want to look at the starter cable. Sometimes they melt to the dipstick tube. A bad starter will also cause excess current to flow through the solenoid.

 

[blubuckaroo]

1. Disconnect the battery cable and "S" wire from the solenoid.
2. Jumper the removed battery cable to the "S" post on the solenoid.
3. The solenoid should energize with a "click."
4. While the solenoid is energized, read the resistance across the battery and starter terminals with an ohmmeter. (two large connections on the solenoid.) Resistance should be near zero.

 

[chuck489]

thanks...will try that