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Starter stays engaged

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Old Apr 3, 2017 | 08:55 AM
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Starter stays engaged

Hello my second Super Duty, a 1999 7.3 at random leaves the starter engaged after starting! Turn key off, starter disengages.

Soleniod or ignition switch or? Batteries are good, and crank times are quick, but a while ago before replacing starter there were some periods of long cranking.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2017 | 10:25 AM
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From: St Louis
Start with checking the switch.

Fuse F20 is the output of the switch. I'd rig up a test light to see if it's staying HOT when it shouldn't. If it does, either the switch is bad or there's some weird wiring fault that's shorting the start signal to switched power which would take additional diagnostics.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2017 | 10:40 AM
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Is the key sticking in the start position or does it snap back to the run position after starting, like it's supposed to?
 
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Old Apr 4, 2017 | 11:28 AM
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Further troubleshooting still stumped

Ok. Last night for fun put a new ignitio switch (not tumber) in and still keep cranking. This am disconnected the ignition wire from the fender mounted solenoid, jumped it with a screwdriver and it still did it. Newer starter. Is there another solenoid to try before I polish off a 200 dollar starter and poaaible ring gear.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2017 | 11:34 AM
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From: St Louis
Well then, either the starter relay is sticking (you didn't say WHICH terminals you jumped on the relay) or the starter-mounted solenoid is sticking, assuming there isn't a wiring issue on the starter. Have you inspected those connections on the starter to see if they are shorting together externally?
 
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Old Apr 4, 2017 | 11:41 AM
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Originally Posted by projectSHO89
Well then, either the starter relay is sticking (you didn't say WHICH terminals you jumped on the relay) or the starter-mounted solenoid is sticking, assuming there isn't a wiring issue on the starter. Have you inspected those connections on the starter to see if they are shorting together externally?
Sorry. I stuffed a screwdriver between the two large terminals on the fender mounted passenger side relay. I thought that would preclude the contacts in the relay sticking as I jumped them externally. Is that not the only power source for the starter? I will crawl under tonight, I thought there was just a big wire to the starter, is there another relay down there?
 
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Old Apr 4, 2017 | 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by alloro
Is the key sticking in the start position or does it snap back to the run position after starting, like it's supposed to?
Nope, snaps back. Last time it did it I rolled it right back, and even to accessory. Replaced under column switch because I know they can be trouble.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2017 | 12:06 PM
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Bench test the starter. My money is on the starter solenoid is staying engaged, new or not.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2017 | 01:15 PM
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The solenoid/Bendix on the starter is sticking. I have no idea if it's individually replaceable or if the problem is due to the internal linkage that the solenoid uses to engage the starter's gear shaft.

In any event, pulling the starter is on your to-do list.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2017 | 01:21 PM
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Originally Posted by projectSHO89
The solenoid/Bendix on the starter is sticking. I have no idea if it's individually replaceable or if the problem is due to the internal linkage that the solenoid uses to engage the starter's gear shaft.

In any event, pulling the starter is on your to-do list.
^*(!@#%^ thing is only 6 months old... Dammit
 
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Old Apr 4, 2017 | 06:16 PM
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Bench test/visually inspect the starter before getting excited. I had one go on my restored 68 442. The aluminum nose on the starter cracked from years of the pinion gear slamming into the stop collar. This forced the Bendix to over travel and it couldn't retract. The starter stayed engaged and was going along with the flywheel. You've never seen me run as fast as I did for the small tool kit in my trunk to pull the battery cable.
Make sure all the wires in the starting circuit are clean and tight. I usually follow this with a spray of battery terminal protectant so the cleaning last.
 
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Old Apr 5, 2017 | 05:24 AM
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It is a common mistake, assuming that a new part is a good part.
 
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Old Apr 5, 2017 | 09:01 AM
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Originally Posted by misterfisher
I stuffed a screwdriver between the two large terminals on the fender mounted passenger side relay.
In that case the problem is definitely down at the starter solenoid on the starter.
 
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