Will 6V solenoid work in a 12 Vsystem?

[Highboy34]

I know a number of guys who run original Ford starters in their 12 V systems. How about original Ford 6V solenoids? Can they be used with 12 V? And what if the new 12 V system is negative ground?

[Ken/Alabama]

No. You can get a 12 volt solenoid that will work just like the 6 volt one. I dont have the part number handy but Im sure someone will respond.

[Jack E/NJ]

While the main battery-starter contacts should handle 12V OK, the solenoid's draw-in coil may not. So I suggest you not worry about this possibility by going to http://dbelectrical.com and order their $7.50 SFD6003 12V solenoid. 8^)

Jack E/NJ

[~~Walts37~~]

I know that a lot of us just use the original 6 volt solenoid for years on the 12v dc neg Gd system and have had no problems. ~~Walts37~~

[Kahuna]

I've been using the original 6 volt solenoid on 12 volts for more than 21 years on my 39 Ford

[av8paul]

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I used a 6V sol in my AV8 and the first time I tried to start it, it fried the sol and the starter wouldn't disengage. Had to disconnect the BAT. I switched to a 12V solenoid in '98 and never looked back. Others seem to have had better luck. My experience may have been a fluke, but I didn't want to chance it happening again.

[51 MERC-CT]

Originally Posted by Highboy34

I know a number of guys who run original Ford starters in their 12 V systems. How about original Ford 6V solenoids? Can they be used with 12 V? And what if the new 12 V system is negative ground?

Been using the original 6V on 12V for 18 years. No problem. Polarity makes no difference.
( Have in the past had 6V solenoids fail when being used on 6V)
If the solenoid is defective, it will fail, 6V or 12V

[Highboy34]

Thanks for your experience and thoughts on this. I'm going to give the original 6 volter a try.....it looks more genuine than the replacements. If I have trouble with it, I'll post the results.

Happy New Year all.

Highboy34

[boman5]

napa (napaonline.com) lists a 12v 3 term insulated base solenoid Echlin # st56

[Lamar Wadsworth]

If the car is tuned up right and has good compression, it will start quickly, so the starter and solenoid don't stay engaged long enough to get hot. Having to grind on the starter and causing the solenoid and starter to get hot is what kills both solenoids and starters.

[Highboy34]

Thanks Boman and Lamar. Helpful info.

[Mike51Merc]

If your 6V solenoid is triggered by a push button in your dashboard, it will not work when you switch to 12V negative ground.

There are two kinds of solenoid triggers (regardless of voltage) one kind triggers to the hot lead, the other kind triggers to ground. The push button starters trigger from a the lead being brought to ground, the key type solenoids trigger by connecting the hot lead.

[46ford]

My new replacement NAPA 6V solenoid sticks shut a lot when I use it with 12V. I have to bump the little "button" on the solenoid to get it to disengage. Not planning to stay with 12V but I've been using a jump box to crank the engine lately.

[~~Walts37~~]

Originally Posted by Mike51Merc

If your 6V solenoid is triggered by a push button in your dashboard, it will not work when you switch to 12V negative ground.

There are two kinds of solenoid triggers (regardless of voltage) one kind triggers to the hot lead, the other kind triggers to ground. The push button starters trigger from a the lead being brought to ground, the key type solenoids trigger by connecting the hot lead.

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Just to add to the confusion I do believe the solenoid only needs a Positive & Ground to activate, it does not care what path they come from. The push button to ground works just fine without any wiring changes. The push button to ground is what most of the older vehicles use & with no problems when switching from pos to neg ground Except for the regular things like Light bulbs, heater motors, voltage regulator, coil & gages. JMO ~~Walts37~~