Starter wont disengage
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New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3
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From: Caruthers CA
Starter wont disengage
Hey guys, I am new to the site and I need some help. I am rebuilding my fathers 74 F-100. Dropped in a new engine and put on some new paint. All is well with just one problem. When I turn the key to the "ON" position, it engages the starter, without ever having to turn the key to "START". when I turn the key back, the engine dies as it should. I've replaced the solenoid, battery cables and starter cables. As well as the lock and tumbler, and the ignition switch Any help?
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 6
From: SD
Welcome to FTE - you've come to the right place...
Did it act this way before you replaced the wires, solinoid and switch?
There should be two small wires on the side of the solinoid. Use a test light or volt meter and test them. One should have power when key is in 'run' position and one should have power only in 'start' position. The 'run' wire goes to the 'I' terminal on solinoid and the 'start' wires goes to the 'S' terminal on solinoid. If your wires don't act this way, then you have trouble with the ignition switch or the wiring between the switch and solinoid.
Let us know what your test finds.
Marty
Did it act this way before you replaced the wires, solinoid and switch?
There should be two small wires on the side of the solinoid. Use a test light or volt meter and test them. One should have power when key is in 'run' position and one should have power only in 'start' position. The 'run' wire goes to the 'I' terminal on solinoid and the 'start' wires goes to the 'S' terminal on solinoid. If your wires don't act this way, then you have trouble with the ignition switch or the wiring between the switch and solinoid.
Let us know what your test finds.
Marty
Elder User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 967
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From: Southern NJ
If everything checks out okay so far,, the only other thing that might be causing this is fused wires in the main harness behind the dash panel. This exact problem was what started a very long chain effect revamping of my dash and wiring. The main wire had melted a few around it and fused the starter wire to one of the power wires. The wire for the key 'start' position, I mean. Unfortunately,, the only way I know of to find if this is indeed the cause is to take the dash panel off and unravel your harness, check the wires. Perhaps someone else has a better or easier way of checking.
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New User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 3
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From: Caruthers CA
need new wiring harness
74 ford f-100 390 2barrel 2wd
so far i have had no luck getting my starter to work properly. it engages in the "run" position and does not disengage until the entire engine is shut off. I cant figure the wiring problem, does anybody know where I could get a complete new harness? I have checked all of the big name shops and some auto electric...nothing.
please help
so far i have had no luck getting my starter to work properly. it engages in the "run" position and does not disengage until the entire engine is shut off. I cant figure the wiring problem, does anybody know where I could get a complete new harness? I have checked all of the big name shops and some auto electric...nothing.
please help
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 274
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From: Maine
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Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
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You don't need a new harness. That would just make for more chances to wire something up backwards. Figure out where the problem is in yours and repair it. If the harness is melted somewhere and shorting out, -then you need a new harness. Remove any aftermarket wiring and then troubleshoot your OEM wiring.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,430
Likes: 2
From: NH
Don't know if you got this fixed but I had a similar problem on my 83.
I hope its fixed by now and all is well.
I pulled the motor and had it rebuilt and after putting it back in I had starting problems. After turning the key the motor would start and the starter would keep turning. It also go to the point where I could take the key out and the truck would still pull itself with the starter running it. I ended up changing out the starter solenoid, voltage regulator, and starter itself. Never happened again. I did go through 3 solenoids, a voltage regulator and 2 starters before I got it solved.
I hope its fixed by now and all is well.
I pulled the motor and had it rebuilt and after putting it back in I had starting problems. After turning the key the motor would start and the starter would keep turning. It also go to the point where I could take the key out and the truck would still pull itself with the starter running it. I ended up changing out the starter solenoid, voltage regulator, and starter itself. Never happened again. I did go through 3 solenoids, a voltage regulator and 2 starters before I got it solved.
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