I am getting only 8 volts to the purple wire on the soleioid. Any ideas?

How many volts if you check the battery?

12.26 at the battery AND the post on the starter... purple wire, zero with key off, 8.65 with key in "starting" position. I pulled the starter and bench tested it... not turning over. not sure if it is the solenoid or the motor itself. still testing!

See if the purple wire has twelve when not connected to the solenoid.

It was the starter and apparently I double posted ... oops. sorry. Starter fixed the problem... the solenoid was only showing 8.5 volts. I assume the draw was bringing it down there... the starter motor wouldn't turn over by itself with 12 volts directly applied. NEW starter, good to go! Thanks!

I had a problem with my 99 bonneville 3.8. it was the MAF sensor. I unplugged it and it worked!