starter won't shut off

[Hethj7]

When I start my car it fires up fine, but then the starter won't shut off. I can turn the ignition off, but the starter continues to run. This does not happen every time I start my car...it is just a problem that comes and goes.

I have replaced the solenoid by the battery and replaced the starter, but I am still having the same problem. Where do I go from here?

[avbcon12]

i would try the ignition switch next. just an opinion.....

hope it helps,
adam

[Hethj7]

I am thinking that may be it too, but is there another solenoid besides the one by the battery?

Also, when I start it and the starter stays on, I can pull the top wire off the solenoid and it quits. That runs back to the ignition, so that may be where my problem is

[DRASTiK]

My first guess would be a sticking solenoid, but since you already replaced it, then odds are that your ignition is the culprit, or you have another bad solenoid. Just my $0.02

[USMC302]

Hethj7, Your wires on the solenoid that go to the starter most likely need to be switched around. The solenoid is fine and so is the starter, you didn't mention if you had recently replaced the starter, got a new one or anything before the problem started but I have fixed a few problems exactly like this one, it would not cut off and then when removing the wire like you described it would cut off. We swapped the wires and problem solved. It very well could be something else, but like I said that was the problem with some other customers I had. Good Luck Let us know.

[PKRWUD]

It's the ignition switch. It's sticking sometimes, which means a continuous signal will be sent to the solenoid. You verified this by disconnecting the ignition-to-solenoid feed wire, and the starter stopped.

Ignition switch.

Take care,
-Chris

[Hethj7]

Yea, I think it was the ignition switch. I got it changed out and haven't had a problem since, but I have only started it a few times since the new switch was in. But, it makes since that sometimes the switch was sticking and causing my problem.

I got the new switch put in today, but man it was a pain to hunt down a security torx bit to take out the old ignition with. Finally found one at a hardware store and the job was pretty easy from there out. Guess I got a new starter now too, cause I am not crawling under there and swapping them back out . Thanks for all your replies!

[7000rpmisheaven]

I have had this ame problem. First of all my starter went bad. I replaced the starter and the solenoid at the same time. I had this problem. I get under the hood to see what it might be. I notice that I had only used one screw mounting the solenoid, and it had shaken loose. Maybe I'm an idiot but I thought that the solenoid was grounded to the sidewall it was mounted on. So I figured that since the screw had shaken loose the solenoid wasn't ground properly. I tightened the screw and it didn't do it for a while. Then it did it again. Sure enough the screw came loose again. I guess I am an idiot. Tighten the screw and now add the second screw that should have been there. And the problem stopped.

But since you guys are talking about it. Maybe it is my ignition sticking or starting to go bad, and my loose screws are just a coincidence.