1986 F-250, starter stays engaged won't stop.
 

Need help, need advice! My starter stays engaged and refuses to stop.

Have replaced starter relay, starter(x2), battery, ignition switch, key lock cylinder - in that order.

Am I going to have to replace entire steering column assembly or is there something else in the wiring that's crossed?

Last winter key turned very hard, this spring starter began to stay engaged. Top section of steering column has always been a little loose and all of those "little things" inside there are dusty, dirty, and generally look like crap.

What do I need to replace in order to stop the insanity?!?!

Thank you for any info and advice.

sounds like a bad relay .

Try pulling the little 's' terminal when it acts up, if this solves the problem its in the wiring to the relay, if it still does itit could be the relay OR you keep getting the wrong starter handed to you act the auto parts store

i recently had a similar problem with my 86 6.9 i had a starter changed n about a week later when i turned the key it wouldnt stop cranking. changed the solenoid and the ignition box then after i got irritated enough i crawled under it to find that the wiring wasnt properly tightened down to the starter causing it to short and continuously crank my engine. not claiming that is the case but you may double check to make sure your power wire isnt shorting against your starter housing

Thanx guys!
 

Thank you to everyone that posted suggestions. All your tips helped me figure out that I'm an idiot! Somehow I had connected the solenoid with pos/neg terminals reversed. Goin' strong now.

Thanks everybody.

Never underestimate the creativity of an idiot. :-X03