hello all new user here. my starter today stayed engaged even with key out ... what would be my best bet new switch or would something else do this : ) the starter was acting up the other day but not staying engaged but would spin and not engage and today stayed spinning any help would be great thxs guys

it is a 1987 f 350 4x4 crew cab i just got it a week ago thxs again

 

starter soleniod mounted on the inside fender near the battery

 

Yeah, I agree, solenoid would be the first thing i would check/replace. It's weird that you would have the problem with it not engaging at the same time though. I can't see how those problems are related.

 

the soleniod was replaced looks brand new from previous owner shoul di get another one try it 1st then ?

 

when i got the truck they said they had some wiring problems no headlights things of that nature lights a re working except reverse and back cab think it is a outside dome light but the soleniod does look new thxs for the info : ) i am willing to go get another and put it on looks eaiser then ignition switch : ) LOL thxs again : )

 

right now i have the battery disconnected as soon as i put the cable on the starter starts turning the motor

 

If the starter is running, the solenoid is engaged. Try unplugging the solenoid: there are three connections on the solenoid if I remember correctly, two heavy cables on the posts and a little wire plugged into it. Hook up your battery and then unplug that little wire. If the starter is still spinning, replace the solenoid, if not, it is an ignition switch problem.

 

wow..I have the exact problem on my 87 f150, just replaced the solenoid about 2 weeks ago, truck has ran fine since then..but today i was going to pull it out of the garage and started it up..heard the starter still going, shut the engine off and the starter still went..i'm stumped.

 

We had some other people on here a few months ago with the same problem. They tried a different brand of starter relay and the problem went away.

 

Try reversing the wires on the relay. A lot of the aftermarket relays are build in reverse of the Ford relay.

 

ok went today and got a new solenoid and ignition switch did the easy one first : ) the solenoid and tried it and that was the ticket thxs for everyones help made it much easier having some info to go from then diving in blind : ) thxs every one : )

 

I have put 2 starter solenoids in my 87 f150 and I am still having a problem with the solenoid sticking. I unhook the battery, and tap the solenoid and sometimes it will work fine, but most of the time the starter stays engaged, my battery voltage is good, my ground wires are good.Any suggestions?

 

Try reversing the wires on the relay. A lot of the aftermarket relays are build in reverse of the Ford relay.

 

But arnt the contacts inside the relay the same reversed or not?

 

No... just try it, if it doesnt help you have eliminated another possible cause. I have resolved this problem by swapping posts on a lot of these in the past.