Starter solenoid installed upside down?

[MrClancy]

I'm chasing some electrical gremlins and replaced my starter solenoid. With three screws, it can be oriented three different ways. I have the spade connector closest to the fender well, not the engine, so if you're sitting in the car, the spade connector would be on the left side of the solenoid. Is this correct? This position then drives which lug from the solenoid is utilized for the starter windings connection, and other connections. The starter windings connection is very short, so the 'bottom' lug would be used for this connection regardless of the orientation of the solenoid. The top lug would have the power + wire. But if the solenoid is in upside down, these lugs would be reversed. The only way to orient it would be the position of that spade connector. Should it be closest to the engine, or closest to the fender? What would happen if the wires were attached to the wrong lugs?
Thanks

[DieselSpider]

This is how I typically see them configured by the rebuilders:

[80spiddy]

It won't engage and start. I almost did the same thing and caught it.

[MrClancy]

In my case, I have determined the spade connector needs to be at the top. This is different than the solenoid I am replacing. So don't assume your replacement solenoid is built the same way. I recommend bench-testing the starter with the new solenoid attached prior to putting it back in the car, because once the starter is back in the car, you won't be able to get to the solenoid mounting bolts and change it's orientation. Bolt the starter and solenoid up to a vise. Put power on one of the lugs, and ground the other one back to the battery. Then put power to the spade connector with another wire, which should activate the solenoid and run the starter. (When you turn the key to start the car it puts power to that spade connector.) If it doesn't work, reverse your connections on the lugs and try again. Then you'll know which lug to attach the power and other wires to. The non-power lug only has one connection, which is the very short wire that comes out of the starter and goes to the starter windings. You can attach this one before you put the starter back in the car.