Hello everyone. I posted a similar thread a couple of months ago here:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...t=whathappened+

The problem is after turning the key to start the engine the engine will start, but the starter will not disengage, even after replacing the solenoid. Today I went to get my car its annual inspection (which failed thanks to emissions, Massachusetts). Every time I went to start it this happened. Since I last posted this topic this problem has been replicated about 10 times (which wasn't so bad, I could just get out and tap the solenoid), but it happened every time I started it today and every time the mechanic started it, which is very annoying.

Today was a little bit different though, possibly because of the cold and snow, I don't know, but it happened in the heated garage (although the engine was still cold). Anyways, after the engine started there was now a new noise coming from the starter. It was humming for about 10 seconds which it had never done and then after that it either stopped or the starter started cranking for a while. Is there now a problem with the starter possibly or has there been since the continuous cranking?

As I said, I've already replaced the solenoid. Did I just happen to have two defective solenoids and should I try another? Should I replace the ignition switch? I want to permanently solve the problem as I think it is only getting worse now that winter is here. When the problem happened in the garage, I told the mechanic about it and he said it wasn't the solenoid, it was the starter (I didn't exactly know what to say because of the new noise). He told me I needed to replace it, but I want to hold off if that is not the problem, obviously.

 

When it happens pull the small wire off the solenoid, if the starter stops then you have a bad switch.

 

Ken00 is right.but the starter can be bad to.Thats what happen on my 89 Ranger one time.If you have to replace the starter make sure you get the bolts good and tight.Learned that from experience to.

 

my little beastie just now began doing something very similar to yours...i jumped in truck a couple of days ago and took off and i heard a grinding noise so i pulled over and i still heard this grrrrrrrrrrrrrr sound so i turn of key and my starter was giving it hell!! i turn key back on truck started and starter kept on grinding i jump out and open hood and start to take the starter wire off at the selanoid and as soon as i touch the selanoid the starter stops so i get back in and start truck and go about business as usual then iin a couple of hours the same thing happens so i bang on selanoid and nothing helps starter keeps on spinning so i take wire off problem solved except now to start my truck i have to turn key on put tranny out of gear pop hood and touch starter wire to battery

this sucks and is dangerous as it will start in gear and run you *** over... is this a selanoid problem or what

 

I would start with the selanoid{the cheaper of the 2} and if that does not fix then its the starter.

 

I have a 87 BII I had same the promblem, most FORD from about 83 to 89 have bad ignition switches, it is located on the sterring columb,they also had a recall on them

 

OK, since I've replaced the solenoid already and it didn't help, I replaced the ignition switch, even though the problem hasn't happened in a few days before replacing it. Hopefully it doesn't happen again.

 

Ah, of course that didn't work either. New solenoid, new ignition switch. Had to pop the hood and tap the solenoid about 5 times yesterday. What can be causing this? Could the new solenoid I bought be defective as well? It is the same model that I pulled off it.

 

Like said try a new starter.

 

I had the same thing happen to my 89 Bronco II and replaced relay, ignition switch and starter, with the same results.

The cause I located which so far has solved the problem is the electric contacts in the lock cylinder. this contact (i think it is for the activating the starter relay as it contacts only when in start position), was twisted out of shape and severely reduced the clearance of the two contacts and it is just close enough to have an arc close the circuit when in the run position.

I carefully twisted the contact to it's original shape and so far the problem has not reoccurred.

My wife had the vehicle worked on the day the problem happened so I am thinking the tech may have tried a wrong key or forced the cylinder thus twisting the contact to the wrong shape.

Just posting FYI, great site and I am glad to be able to help.

Jack

 

My previous post was erroneous, sorry.

To update after I replaced the solenoid, ign switch, keylock cylinder the problem stopped.......

for a couple of days then it started again.

I then disconnected the ignition wire from the coil and hooked up a test light.

Turned the key to the run (not start) position and the light was on.

the only thing that would get the light to go out was to move the shift lever through the gears a couple of times and it would go out.

So I am thinking (neutral safety switch), so I connect the Ign wire while the car is on stands, turn the key to run then shift to reverse and turned the key to start and it started. It should only crank in Park or neutral so this is the next part I am going to replace.

I will post back here once I have completed this and let you know if the problem was solved.

 

Replaced neutral safety switch, which was bad, and also cleaned the main neg ground connection to frame and the engine to chassis ground connection.

So far everything is A-ok and the electrical gauges are working properly and the radio now has great reception. Most importantly, no more starter engaging on it's own.

I will monitor and post back in a week to make sure this problem has been solved!!!

 

Glad to hear your making progress!!!

 

usually, on Fords, it's one of several things: grounding issues, bad solenoid, bad key switch, bad neutral switch. had a similar issue on a 77 Pinto that ended up being bad wiring and a bad key switch. *shrug*

 

I had the same problems back in March of this year. I was at a Blockbuster video. As I was leaving, I started her up and she started but the starter kept cranking until eventually the battery ran down. I replaced the starter and solenoid and it hasn't happened since.

I had previously replaced the solenoid but I think the starter had been bad for some time and eventually wore that new solenoid down.