Solenoid connections

Moto Guzzi V700, V7 Special, Ambassador, 850 GT, 850 GT California, Eldorado, and 850 California Police models

Updated: 2011 November 28

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Thanks to Paul Linn, David Tan, Kim Schick, Ralf Brinkmann, and Charlie Mullendore of Antietam Classic Cycle for providing some of this information.

Magneti Marelli starters and solenoids

Moto Guzzi fit two different solenoids to the Magneti Marelli starter. Earliest models came with a solenoid with three terminals. Later models came with a solenoid with four terminals. The forth terminal on the later model was introduced in order to require the transmission to be in neutral before the starter could be actuated (a safety feature later mimicked with the starter relay ground wire). The photos below show how the solenoid is mounted. Note that there are two 8 mm post terminals. The 8 mm post terminal that is furthest away from the Magneti Marelli embossed logo on the plastic end cap is the terminal that is connected directly to the starter via the very short wire. If this connection is reversed (with the other 8 mm post terminal), the solenoid will become very hot (and not function).

Magneti Marelli solenoid used on early models. No separate ground wire is needed.
Photo courtesy of Charlie Mullendore of Antietam Classic Cycle.

Magneti Marelli solenoid used on later models. A separate ground wire is needed.
Photo courtesy of Charlie Mullendore of Antietam Classic Cycle.

Magneti Marelli solenoid used on later models: complete with connections still attached.
Photo courtesy of Kim Schick.

Common aftermarket solenoid for Magneti Marelli starters. Note that there are two 8 mm post terminals. The 8 mm post terminal that has a jumper to one of the soldered connections on the solenoid is the terminal that is connected directly to the starter via the very short wire. If this connection is reversed (with the other 8 mm post terminal), the solenoid will become very hot (and not function).
Photo courtesy of David Tan.

Magneti Marelli starter with a Bosch solenoid (part number 0331-300-019). Not believed to have come from Moto Guzzi, but rather an aftermarket fitment.
Photo courtesy of Ralf Brinkmann.

Bosch solenoid (part number 0331-300-019) for fitment to a Magneti Marelli starter.
Photo courtesy of eBay.

Bosch solenoid (part number 0331-300-022) for fitment to a Magneti Marelli starter.
Photo courtesy of PartBob.

Bosch starters & solenoids

The photos below show how the solenoid is mounted. Note that there are two 8 mm post terminals. The 8 mm post terminal that has a jumper to one of the soldered connections on the solenoid is the terminal that is connected directly to the starter via the very short wire. If this connection is reversed (with the other 8 mm post terminal), the solenoid will become very hot (and not function).

All aftermarket solenoids that I've seen follow this same pattern of connections.

Bosch solenoid as used on all Bosch starters.
Photo courtesy of Gregory Bender.