Very odd starting issue im having

[FiveO]

this morning i started my car...or tried to and it would crank a few times. battery was dead. threw a new one in this afternoon and she started right up...only thing is the starter stayed engaged just turning with the flywheel, on top of that when i attempt to turn the car off the starter will not disengage, instead it keeps cranking the car over. So i try it a few times...starts...stays engaged and upon turning car off the car shuts off...starter stays cranking.

starter solenoid, explains sticking but...could it keep the car cranking upon shutoff?

starter relay, this is what i suspect the most. if this is sticking then i could see why it would keep engaged. but could it be engaged with the ignition key in the off position? Im guessing so because you can start the car with a screwdr... yeah...

key ignition..the reason i put this in there is because my starter (3rd one installed since i've owned it) has never disengaged fast enough...its always stuck for a few seconds after startup. i've been through new relays still not solving the issue. so i feel maybe its time to check that key ignition, maybe something sticks in there.

anyways i could be on the right track, just looking for other ideas i may have overlooked.

 

[HISSIN50]

If the key is off and the starter still turns, the solenoid being latched is possible.

When it does this, see if you have 12 volts to the S-terminal wire. If not, the ignition switch should not be your issue.


Do you run a stock starter? It's possible to wire up a mini in such a way that you can get run-on issues after you release the key.


Trying to start a car with less than a full battery can cause the solenoid contacts to tack themselves together.

Good luck.

 

[FiveO]

yes, i do have a stock starter. S terminal wire?

how can i test the relay?

 

[HISSIN50]

S-terminal wire is the small trigger wire that slides onto the top of the solenoid. It comes from the ignition switch.

If you disconnect the items on the solenoid and put your meter across the two large lugs, there should be infinite resistance. If there isn't (and it's something decently low), that suggests the solenoid is latched.
Alternatively, if you disconnect the S-terminal wire from the solenoid and connect the battery, if the starter starts cranking immediately, that suggests the solenoid is latched.

 

[FiveO]

should have some time this weekend to mess with it...i think what i'll do is remove the starter and bring it to autozone or advanced. think they do starter tests for free. also if it isn't the starter...how would i check the relay? and if it isn't the relay (hope its that if anything) then would the ignition be very advanced or could someone with some knowledge and a manual finger through it?

 

[5.0Droptop]

sounds like the solenoid is stuck. Its just a puck inside the housing that contacts and let the voltage from battery to straight to starter. The ign triggers it but it can get stuck even when key is off.

*whaks with handle of big screwdriver to unstuck it and replaces solenoid.

 

[mustangfan1990]

solenoid is stuck that has happened to my car MANY times... Mine kept happening cause of a bad ground issue, but anyway like was said already take a screwdriver handle and pop it a couple times....(DONT RAMROD IT LOL) but do hit it enough to make it quit. Eventually it will stick for good though I though I could just keep hitting it and it would stop well one day it keep doing it and I kept hitting it and the thing broke in half...lol

 

[mustangfan1990]

starter relay, this is what i suspect the most. if this is sticking then i could see why it would keep engaged. but could it be engaged with the ignition key in the off position? Im guessing so because you can start the car with a screwdr... yeah...

You can turn the car over with a screwdriver but it wont crank with the igintion key on the off position. The coil pack will not fire

 

[FiveO]

thanks for the replys guys. didn't have time this weekend to mess with it, but your replys are very reassuring that its a simple fix. lets hope so... i'll keep you posted if i fix the issue.

 

[RYC CUKR]

Had the same problem here as well. Kinda freaks ya out when it first happens. Replaced the relay and no more probs.

 

[FiveO]

Had the same problem here as well. Kinda freaks ya out when it first happens. Replaced the relay and no more probs.

a lot of people are saying solenoid while it makes sense...i dont see how it could be the solenoid if a proper working relay would not allow power to the starter.

im hoping very much its my relay, and since i had a lifetime warranty on my starter, i was able to get a new one free. just gotta get time to install them.