Hey all, so, I've got myself into a bit of a situation and I'm a little lost on how to further diagnose this issue. So, a couple days ago I went to start up the truck and it turned over once and clicked. Did this 3 times. I bridged the solenoid and it arced and started fine. I tested the battery and it was fine so I decided to throw a new starter and solenoid at it. Well, after I threw the solenoid on it I decided to start it and after starting it the starter kept turning even with the engine running. I quickly shut off the truck and the starter continued to run for about 10-15 seconds before stopping. I already had a starter on the way so I had hoped maybe the starter had an internal short so I replaced that today and as soon as I hooked up the positive terminal on the battery after installing it, it arced really badly and, unfortunately, the new starter started turning over with the keys still in my pocket. Solenoid is new, so is the starter, connections are all clean between the two. What components should I look into and how do I go about diagnosing this so I'm not throwing parts at the truck?

I also have another issue that is semi-related. After this happened I decided to pull the trim around the steering column apart to see if there were any visibly burnt wires or connectors. Well, my tumbler locked at some point, I must have bumped it back with the key in the ignition and now it absolutely refuses to unlock no matter how I go about it. The tumbler was bad already, you could start the truck with a screwdriver prior, but I can't pull the ignition cylinder without unlocking it first, and it just won't budge.

Thanks in advance!

 

as for the start spinning with key off, it very well could be a bad fender mount starter relay. just because it is new does not mean it is good.

i have had 5 brand new out of the box chinesiums bad.
i try to get made in the usa parts. second choice is made in mexico. yes they cost more, but they are worth the extra price.
i have also seen a bad battery keep the starter spinning after key returned from start position too.
as for not being able to turn the key cylinder, try relieving pressure on the steering wheel when turning the key.

 

I"d say you have a bad solenoid, but you say you did something to your cylinder lock.

So, test the wire to the solenoid, or disconnect it. The small wire that go to the small terminals, that is from your key.
If the solenoid is on with just the battery wire and the starter wire, it is a bad solenoid.

What year of truck are we working on?

 

TJC is right it is a known fact, in the 80-86 area, the cheap ones can be bad out of the box or shortly there after.
Spend the money for a good one and you have to ask for "top of the line" ones or they will get you the cheap ones that dont last.
I run a NAPA top of the line one on my 81 F100 and have not had any problems in years.
The one that came with the truck, factory?, would click every now and then. I had all new cables as part of the 4 year cab off rebuild and even going back over connections it was worst
Also make sure the solenoid is grounded where it bolts down is good.
Dave ----