Good afternoon to all, I'm trying to improvise a starter solenoid for my garden tractor to act as an electromagnet, so when it'* activated, it will pull a locking pin on my snow plow so I can change the angle of the blade.
I have a heavy battery cable to the main post. I have the solenoid grounded, but when I apply 12v to the "*" terminal nothing happens. I have the plunger & spring installed.
So does the solenoid need to have a power draw of the started motor post to activate the solenoid?

It shouldn't.

Can you post a picture of the end of the solenoid?

Here'* a picture.

I think for what you're trying to do you need positive to the post on the right as well:

Yes, I had a heavy battery cable attached to that post. I had a heavy ground cable attached to the motor. Volt meter measured 12.6v across both the main post & the "*" terminal.
I ordered another solenoid today. I've had a streak of bad luck lately buying parts.
Thanks Cathedral Cub for your input.

You're welcome!

Curious what happens with the next one!

Another solenoid, still no joy. I guess the GM solenoid is a little more than basic wiring.

What if you go 180 degrees around and hook everything up that way?

Update. It does actually work. The problem was that the starting point of the plunger wasn't close enough to get pulled by the electromagnet.
Now it'* just experimenting with spring pressure and shimming the plunger to get the maximum travel.

Cool! That makes sense. Still shouldn't have been that way but goad you got it sorted!