My starter doesn't stop running.

[mike12]

I just bought a 91 Explorer and it looks like the starter stays on after i turn the car off and drains the battery. So after a little more inspection i found that a small red wire has to be connected for the starter to turn. so im guessing it goes to the starter. But when i put the small red wire to the terminal, the starter turns even if the car is off and the keys are in my hand. My guess is something is wired to the wrong place but im no mechanic and cant figure it out. I would greatly appreciate some help.

 

[Maniak]

It sounds like you may have a bad ignition switch. When you turn the key, it moves a rod which actually moves the ignition switch. That switch then puts power where it is supposed to go.

To me it sounds like your getting power from the switch even when the key is "off". I would drop the steering colum and check the switch. I "think" they haynes/chiltons even has a section that shows how to test the ignition switch.

Dropping the steering column is pretty easy. You need to remove the plastic cover and then the metal cover that is under the steering colum, then remove 2 bolts and the entire column will fold down. You will then be able to get to the ignition switch that is on the top of the column.

~Mark

 

[mike12]

Thanks, im going to go ahead and see if thats the problem i appreciate the help

 

[ol'roaddog]

sounds like your starter solenoid,,could it be that your touching the sol. wire direct to the starter,,i have benched tested many ,,by going direct to the starter an bypassing the sol. now keep in mind a sol. can stick an keep an open circuit direct to your starter,

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've renamed your thread, and moved it into the stock 91-94 section. It sounds like the contacts inside of the starter solenoid got welded together. It's easy to check with a continuity tester, but remember to disconnect the wiring first.

 

[stilllookin]

similar issue here

I am having a similar issue. Rebuilt motor and trans., installed and cannot get the starter to stop running once the key moves from "start" to "on".

Testing reveals that I am getting 4.66VDC to the small red/white wire at the "s" terminal on the solenoid whenever the key is in the "on" position. Theoretically this wire should have 0VDC unless the key is in the "start" position when it has 12VDC.

Have cleaned and reset all grounds and have replaced the solenoid and starter (both were bad anyway, not applying "parts shotgun diagnostics") without correcting the problem. There was no ignition switch issue prior to the engine removal and rebuild and nothing has occurred inside the vehicle to cause one.

When I figure it out I'll let you know.

Rich

 

[mike12]

thanks for all the help, i finnaly got it workin right, turns out the guy who had the truck before me had it wired all kinds of wrong i have no clue why , so i had a friend put everything where it needed to be
i appreciate the all the help

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update!