Stuck again

[oldfordguy]

Hey need some help. 71 Mach 1 351c with AOD. Kinda of limited shade tree guy here. Couple of weeks ago starter (ford motorsports hi-torque) stayed engaged. I tried a couple of times, all good, few times later again and it was not constant problem / checked for loose connections 3x, nothing. I also thought that I was having to turn the key further that I remembered to get it started. Then this week, after a fun run she cranked a bit , no start, but also there was a clicking sound. From inside could tell if it was from starter or solenoid. I replaced starter (w/OEM type) and new solenoid. The hi torque had a wire from firewall solenoid to unit on starter. I ground that to block since OEM has only POS hook up. Now when I try to hook up battery she cranks but without key ignition. I even tried taking I and S wires off solenoid and she still cranks with trying to hook battery cables. Do you think it is ignition switch or????

 

[D.Hearne]

it sounds to me like your battery is weak, all that usually happens with a near dead battery.

 

[oldfordguy]

D
You know I did have to replace battery when I put in new OEM starter. Soon as I hooked up POS cable, with no key in and ing switch in off position, she cranked and cranked and killed old one. I was thinking maybe it was drained along the way, or ready to go anyway. New battery, I can't even attempt to hook up both cables without it cranking , with key out and switch off.

 

[Az Pete]

Try removing the wire you just ground to the block, the one from the solenoid.

 

[D.Hearne]

Solenoid is stuck open. Hit it with a hammer. (gently but firmly tap on it, don't beat the hell out of it)

 

[oldfordguy]

Thanks guys!!! Classic "duh" moment. The old high torque starter had hot wire running to hot side of fender solenoid, OEM you have to run thru solenoid. So I just had to move starter hot wire to other side of solenoid. Back on the road!!