Chevrolet Repair: Starter wiring, starter solenoid, auto store

Question
I just installed a new starter & solenoid on my son's 79 Impala 305.  After installation, no electric anywhere- lights, ignition, etc- nothing.  Battery is fine. Hot lead to solenoid is fine- clean & tight.  I hooked up the approx 14 guage solenoid wire to the same post as on the old solenoid.  But there is a 3rd unused terminal bolt.  There was no wire on it to begin with.  Auto store said just match up my wire to same post as on old starter.  Is it possible that on a new or rblt unit that the "unused" post is in fact the one I need?  I wired it up just like the old one- one large hot wire to the large terminal, one 14 ga. wire to one small terminal, and another terminal with no wire at all. I've got no power at all, and think I'm missing connection to the ignition somehow.

Thank you,

Bob

Answer
Hi Bob,

Do you have voltage at the big starter post?  It is possible the wire from the battery is hot, but the post is not.  If you have voltage off the post, did you disconnect the ground wire for any reason?  Is it reconnected right?  If so, you should get a ground from the motor or other metal.  

I suspect the little wire is right.  Could have that on the wrong post, but if so, the key would not start the car.  All that wire does is trigger the solenoid when the key is turned.  

Is this starter 'new'?  or rebuilt?  I wonder if the big terminal is connected inside the starter.  It is possible that the big terminal got broken on installation, or before you got it.  If is was over turned or tightened too much, it could internally break.  I would take this starter to the store to have it checked.  That should be free, and may fail.  

Good luck.