Odd starting issue...
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,794
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From: Kansas City, KS
Odd starting issue...
I promise, I used to know this...
Went outside to fire up the old beast today (1986 F150, 300 I6). When I turned the key to "start", it turned right over...and over....and over... when I let go of the key, it kept turning over...and over...and over...
As if the starter won't disengage...had to unhook the battery to make it stop cranking.
The keys are now on my dresser, but if I touch the battery cable to the battery, it starts cranking again...
Where do I start?
Went outside to fire up the old beast today (1986 F150, 300 I6). When I turned the key to "start", it turned right over...and over....and over... when I let go of the key, it kept turning over...and over...and over...
As if the starter won't disengage...had to unhook the battery to make it stop cranking.
The keys are now on my dresser, but if I touch the battery cable to the battery, it starts cranking again...
Where do I start?
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 9,854
Likes: 254
From: missouri
whoop the solenoid with a small ball peen..
.. i have seen the disc in the solenoid get welded to the contact, many things can cause this ..short in starter, bad cables or connections, short in ing switch..... start checking by removing and cleaning the cables, then remove the starter wire (closest to the battery cable side) then if the cables dont spark when connected back up, try using a screw driver to jump from the battery cable stud to the small post closest to it. engine should crank then stop when released. if that checks out put the start wire back on the post, if engine starts cranking by itself then i would say bad ingnition switch, if not then probably a bad solenoid caused the problem... but that is just guessing
.. i have seen the disc in the solenoid get welded to the contact, many things can cause this ..short in starter, bad cables or connections, short in ing switch..... start checking by removing and cleaning the cables, then remove the starter wire (closest to the battery cable side) then if the cables dont spark when connected back up, try using a screw driver to jump from the battery cable stud to the small post closest to it. engine should crank then stop when released. if that checks out put the start wire back on the post, if engine starts cranking by itself then i would say bad ingnition switch, if not then probably a bad solenoid caused the problem... but that is just guessing
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 258
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From: Arkansas
This just happened to me when I was using a jumper wire to bump the starter when I was stabbing my new dizzy, i just gave it a tippy tap with my screw driver and it stopped. Just do what the poster said above, or get a new solenoid, they are cheap.
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Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,794
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From: Kansas City, KS
OK, so I replaced the solenoid...same issue.
Got it to fire up once, didn't sound right...after the starter started smoking, I figured out it was still engaged.
Disconnected the S wire from the solenoid...no change. Now I've pulled the starter and will go get it checked.
Right?
I'm thinking that the starter itself is not disengaging even when it loses the signal...stuck/wore out spring?
Got it to fire up once, didn't sound right...after the starter started smoking, I figured out it was still engaged.
Disconnected the S wire from the solenoid...no change. Now I've pulled the starter and will go get it checked.
Right?
I'm thinking that the starter itself is not disengaging even when it loses the signal...stuck/wore out spring?
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
This is exactly what caused me to go to a late model PMGR starter.
I went through 6 or more solenoids and staying engaged would destroy the starter.
I ended up buying a cheap -late model- starter from DB Electric on Ebay.
Be sure you get the proper (manual or auto) one.
Changing the wire from one side of the fender solenoid to the other was simple enough.
Do NOT jumper the trigger wire, because it will back feed and cause a similar problem.
Manual;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-TRUCK-4-9L-5-0L-5-8L-STARTER-M-T-92-93-94-95-96-97-/360538005409?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53f1bd5fa1&vxp=mtr
Auto;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-F-TRUCK-BRONCO-4-9L-300-6CYL-NEW-STARTER-1965-1996-Mini-Starter-Retrofit-/130649669594?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e6b53bfda&vxp=mtr
I went through 6 or more solenoids and staying engaged would destroy the starter.
I ended up buying a cheap -late model- starter from DB Electric on Ebay.
Be sure you get the proper (manual or auto) one.
Changing the wire from one side of the fender solenoid to the other was simple enough.
Do NOT jumper the trigger wire, because it will back feed and cause a similar problem.
Manual;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-TRUCK-4-9L-5-0L-5-8L-STARTER-M-T-92-93-94-95-96-97-/360538005409?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53f1bd5fa1&vxp=mtr
Auto;
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FORD-F-TRUCK-BRONCO-4-9L-300-6CYL-NEW-STARTER-1965-1996-Mini-Starter-Retrofit-/130649669594?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1e6b53bfda&vxp=mtr
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pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
Well I'm glad that the new starter is not drawing so much current that the solenoid contacts are welding anymore.
Like I said, my truck went through a half dozen starters and solenoids before I switched to the newer model.
It's been fine for me.
Like I said, my truck went through a half dozen starters and solenoids before I switched to the newer model.
It's been fine for me.
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