battery drained, starter stuck engaged

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Feb 24, 2011 | 02:02 PM

1980302windsor

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Joined: Sep 2010

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From: East Central, IL

battery drained, starter stuck engaged

So I picked the truck up from the shop a few days ago to get an electrical issue resolved. It drove and started good that day, and started and drove well the next. Let it sit for 2 days, and when I went to start it it cranked twice and drained the battery. I had to go, so i left it. Went out today to charge the battery with a 6A charger, and it kept kicking the charger off. Put a heavy duty jump pack on it, and as soon as I hit it with the juice, the starter took off! It had been stuck engaged for days! I unplugged the exciter wire from the solenoid, and tried again, but the battery had been drained to 7V. Put the jump pack on it and it started right up. Its charging now, but Aside from unplugging my exciter wire every time i get out of the truck, what may be wrong? Thanks.

Feb 24, 2011 | 02:04 PM

1980302windsor

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Joined: Sep 2010

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From: East Central, IL

It is a 1980 f150. External solenoid.

Feb 24, 2011 | 05:18 PM

ri_truck_guy

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Joined: Jun 2002

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From: Suffolk, VA USA

I'd put a voltmeter on your exciter wire and see if you have constant voltage. If you do, which it certainly sounds like, disconnect the ignition switch and check for voltage again. If its still present, you've got short in that exciter circuit. If the voltage is gone, the ignition switch is either bad or out of adjustment.