6v to 12v, can I use my old starter solenoid?

[Flat Ernie]

Originally Posted by G.M.

If your car starts on the first revolution yes but if it cranks to start the coil in the solenoid will get hot and burn out. Best to change it to a 12 volt solenoid but why change to 12 volts, 6 works just fine for me and a lot of others? G.M.

You'd have to crank for quite a while to burn it up...

Originally Posted by mike in las vegas

Two years and mine has been fine. By the way, where do you find a 12 volt solenoid that will work with the grounding principle of the starter button?

They're for tractors or something, but they're available - not as readily available as a regular 12V starter relay.

Originally Posted by Karl Wolf

You could use a relay to make it a ground acuated solonoid... I have a few 40 amp VW relays that I use for stuff like this...

Karl

You certainly don't need 40A to hold the starting relay!! But there's no kill like overkill, I suppose.

Originally Posted by Junkyard Dog

go to napa and ask for a st56 selonoid

What's the application?

I've run all of my 12V cars on the original 6V starter relays - no re-wiring of the car required. They've lasted quite a while. I have had them stick once or twice, but a quick rap with a hammer or other heavy object, typically does the trick.