Starter issue

[aarmel732]

I had a no start last week on the 97 SHO. It was towed into the shop and they replaced the starter and the starter relay. Now, when I start the car, it starts so that is good, but the starter will not turn off without undoing the battery. It will start, the starter stays engaged, I turn the Ign switch to off, remove the key, and it still keeps cranking until I disconnect the battery. I took it back to them, and they replaced the starter relay, and it worked...once. Now this morning it did it again. Is there something else I am missing here?

Thanks for the help guys, I appreciate any input.

 

[Izzmo]

I don't really know anything about this issue, but I would take it back to the shop and tell them to fix it... I mean they should be able to at no charge.

It does sound like a relay problem though (the relay is staying closed when it should be open).

Possibly try replacing it again? Maybe you just got a handlful of bad relays?

 

[aarmel732]

No, it is a great shop, they have already fixed it twice! I am just wondering if it really is something simple like a relay (and that is all it can be) I will just pop over to Ford and buy an OE one instead of their aftermarket one.

 

[Izzmo]

It couldn't hurt...

It could be something else, but it is not your starter (unless something is messed up inside the starter itself.. which could be easily checked). The starter is getting told by something to keep power to it and keep turning over.. so it's obviously the relay or something else in line with the ignition.

 

[deercrusher]

it could be a sticking solenoid. i'm pretty sure they would have replaced the starter/solenoid as a whole unit but i don't know as it was your repair, but if they didn't I'd suspect that. try hitting it with a hammer yet?

 

[aarmel732]

No hammer yet, but if this costs much more my wife will either take a hammer to the car or my privates.
I got a new relay from Ford and it has started ok a couple of times, but we will see after it sits for the night. Thank you guys for the suggestions.

 

[1bad98SHO]

when it acts up hit the starter solenoid and see if it stops. If it does then the solenoid is faulty. If not the if you know you have a good relay then i would start looking at possible ignition switch troubles.

 

[bacernate]

I'd say starter is faulty. If the relay or ignition switch were staying energized the wiring would most likely melt down. I've replaced many starters over the years at my shop for this problem and I can't recall it ever being anything else.

 

[aarmel732]

The final resolution to this problem was that the starter was a bad part. All is well again, thank you everyone for your ideas!

 

[Izzmo]

The whole starter was bad? That's interesting.

 

[aarmel732]

I don't know if it was all bad, but it was a Napa part and an OE part fixed it, so who knows?