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Starter will not stop

Robert Schaad

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1972 Plymouth 318 Automatic. New Starter, New ignition switch, New starter relay, New battery. I came out of the store, turned key to start the car, engine started but starter continued. Turned off the switch, Starter continued to turn engine. Pulled key out, starter continued to turn engine, pulled wires from the steering column apart, starter continued to turn engine, Starter is now hot as hell and smells. I got the hood open and pulled the battery terminal off and starter stopped. Put the battery terminal back on and everything is fine. Has been working fine for some weeks. Did it again. It is fixed. What was it? I know, but can you guess?
 
Either your starter relay is getting stuck of your starter is. Id vote for the relay on the firewall.
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I’d vote for the relay myself. If that doesn’t get it check the ignition switch for proper operation and make sure if all else checks out ok to check the starter that the bendix doesn’t hang in the ring gear.
 
My bet would be the starter relay is "Chinese junk". You can bench test the relay and starter to protect your engine, but it may not happen again for 1000 years. Or it may happen at the wrong time and cause expensive damage. Replace it, they're cheap.
 
I am on my 3rd relay.pulled them apart and found rust inside. Looks like when I wash the car water is running down the cowl and saturating the relay. There is a vent covered by felt that will let water in. Maybe make a shield or wrap or reposition the relay. Yup China junk for sure.
 
I'm guessing your "new starter" was a rebuild from a parts house. I've had this happen to me twice, (parts house rebuilds), both times it was the starter drive solenoid getting stuck in the start position. Either the plunger gets stuck or the copper washer gets "welded" to the terminals. After the second time it happened I started rebuilding my own starters, no issues and they last a lot longer before needing service.
 
starter relay stuck. put a new one on it.
Don't put a new one in as everybody's suggesting, you've already done that! Put the old one back in and see what happens! Good Luck
 
I'm guessing your "new starter" was a rebuild from a parts house. I've had this happen to me twice, (parts house rebuilds), both times it was the starter drive solenoid getting stuck in the start position. Either the plunger gets stuck or the copper washer gets "welded" to the terminals. After the second time it happened I started rebuilding my own starters, no issues and they last a lot longer before needing service.
This just happened to me. Starter was the problem, not the relay.

Troubleshooting will determine if it’s the relay or starter.
 
Was about to say starter drive contacts, happened to me. Replace or rebuild the starter. Never had the relay do that. My opinion.
 
My guess is the bendix is sticking in the out position. Sometimes just some lube will correct it.
 
IMO...
The starter RELAY switches the current to the starter solenoid. When energized, the solenoid engages the starter drive....aka "bendix"... AND switches the high current DC to the motor armature via an internal connection comprised of a copper contact disc and 2 corresponding contacts. IF this internal connection welds itself together, the starter motor will continue to run, regardless of the ignition switch, or starter relay. Disconnecting the battery connections will stop it. Or thump the starter solenoid with a light hammer tap will usually break the connection. SUGGESTION...REPLACE THE STARTER UNDER WARRANTY. Just my opinion of course.
BOB RENTON
 
I my case the "thumping the solenoid" worked a few times. I used a piece of wood to get to the solenoid to hit with the hammer. When I pulled the starter apart, both copper studs and the disc on the plunger were badly burned from the attempted "welding".
 
Either your starter relay is getting stuck of your starter is. Id vote for the relay on the firewall.
oer-2444442_ml.jpg
You are correct. Funny, it was only 6 months old. Put the old one back on and everything is fine now.
 
1972 Plymouth 318 Automatic. New Starter, New ignition switch, New starter relay, New battery. I came out of the store, turned key to start the car, engine started but starter continued. Turned off the switch, Starter continued to turn engine. Pulled key out, starter continued to turn engine, pulled wires from the steering column apart, starter continued to turn engine, Starter is now hot as hell and smells. I got the hood open and pulled the battery terminal off and starter stopped. Put the battery terminal back on and everything is fine. Has been working fine for some weeks. Did it again. It is fixed. What was it? I know, but can you guess?


Starters aren't supposed to stop!! Thats what brakes are for!!!!

Jeez, Kids these days!! :rofl:
 
Like I've always said "crazy electrons". I never know what they're doing!
 
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