Starter staying on when turning key

[Tulsa76bronco]

I have read the other posts but don't see anything like what I have going on. Was starting fine last week. When to start it tonight and it would crank over and even start when I sprayed in starter fluid yet wouldn't stay started, then the starter would keep cranking over even after key was turned off. Spoke to Yeller (out of pocket now) and I started with the solenoid, went and bought new one put it back on (post was too short, took off the inside nut and it fit) and cranked it up did the same thing? Tried to start but just cranked, even had a jump starter connected to battery just in case battery was not at full.

I have a mini starter connected the same way I have always had it and it always worked fine. I connected it back the same way I disconnected it so I know the wires are in the correct location. I made sure everything was tight. Could me taking off the nut on the solenoid to give my self more room be a problem of not connecting properly?

I saw the main wire from the mini starter 4g wire I believe had a couple of electrical tape wound around them peeled one off and there is bare wire under but since it was tape I figured it was fine and taped it back (burnt on the headed is was it looks like)

I might add a independence power stud next to it so I can put the nuts back on the solenoid

Thoughts

 

[Tulsa76bronco]

Well I found another solenoid at Oreilly with longer posts (I actually had a lifetime warranty on it...bonus). Put it on and it still kept trying to start after I turned key off. I have a kill switch between the battery and the solenoid so I just flipped that off and it shut it off. Next I decided to check wires at the starter. Guess what small wire was loose at the started, tightened that and tried to start again. This time and so far every time after the starter has not stayed on trying to start when I turn key off (could that one wire do that?). Still wouldn't stay started so I am thinking fuel pump. I have the manual fuel pump. Could that have gone bad, how can I tell. I sprayed starter fluid into the carb and it would start some but not stay going.

Thoughts

 

[Okie69]

Does it seem like it’s dying as soon as you let off the key?

 

[DirtDonk]

Forget starter fluid for now.
You already know that the engine can turn over with the starter, and you know that you have enough spark to fire off with starter fluid. So fill the carburetor with gasoline.
I don’t mean in the throat though, leave that dry. Fill the float bowl through a bowl vent. You can do that with a syringe or drip bottle or whatever.
Starter fluid is just meant to get things lit off initially but there’s not enough to keep it going for more than a second or two usually.

I don’t know if the loose wire could have caused it, but it sure seems that way. Doesn’t sound right, but in cases like these the problems are usually so easy to test a few of the more common culprits don’t keep buying starter relay/solenoid‘s because new ones can be bad right out of the box and just add more frustration.
I’m glad you found one with longer studs though.

 

[DirtDonk]

What’s the situation here overall? Did you just finish a rebuild? Has it been sitting for months or years?
Yes, fuel pumps of all types (but especially mechanical ones) can die an early death from just sitting.
Especially if they’ve been used a little bit with modern fuels.
I’ve seen brand new fuel pumps get used for half an hour and then sit for three months and be completely useless afterwards and need to be replaced.

 

[Speedrdr]

Had a high torque mini starter installed on my ‘77. Starter was sho nuff spinning the 347 stroker nice and fast. Like you (if I read it correctly) the starter continued to be engaged. Found out the starter gear was not able to withdraw completely and therefore there were teeth staying engaged. Shimmed that puppy out and the starter began operating as designed. Hopefully this Will help you.

Randy

 

[Tulsa76bronco]

Thanks guys,
got it started. situation overall is that I never drive it or barely turn it on just got it back from have the trans rebuilt. Here is what I did. I put the new solenoid with longer post on, tightened the wire to mini starter. for good measure and because I have always wanted to got rid of the secondary tank and the manual fuel switch in floor board that PO put in. So now one long straight fuel line. Oh and put in fuel as I haven't put in any in a while as I don't drive it. Guess what started right up and has not had any problems with the started staying engaged again.....yet. I have started 4-5 times and good.....so it could have simply been that it needed gas not sure because I didn't start it before I put in more gas but I only put in about a gallon.....boy I feel dumb for not checking that first but I have a new gas tank ready to go in so I was not wanting to put too much in but maybe the transmission guy drove it a lot to check it out......it was caked with mud so he probably had a great time When I get it back from him again (trans was leaking) I am going to put the new gas tank in.

I sent the new carter fuel pump back as mine seems to be fine.

Will let you know if it does it again and will look at some of the suggestions Speedrdr suggested

thanks as always guys

 

[DirtDonk]

Sounds like you should also note your mileage when you drop it off. Check it again when you pick it up.
It’s certainly not out of character to drive something that’s had transmission work for perhaps 20 miles or so. Not the 2 or 3 miles of a typical test drive, but enough to warm everything up and make sure it’s shifting properly.
At least that’s what I would think. I wouldn’t trust an around-the-block test drive with transmission work.

A coworker at another company had some bodywork done on his Rolls-Royce and got it back with 22 extra miles on it.
If it had been transmission work that would’ve been fine, but a Body Work “test drive“? I don’t think so!

 

[Tulsa76bronco]

Thanks Dirt, I trust the guy wasn't worried about him driving it. I just said that to say he probably ran it very close to empty and I didn't realize it since the gouge doesn't work