Starter wouldn't stop starting . . .

[Lessons_learned]

I just took a trip to the convenience store. Car has been running like a top. Really beautifull sounding engine. I started the car as normal, but when I let off the key, the starter continued to run. The engine would fire up and shut off with the turn of the key. Not knowing what to do and living one mile from the store, I started to drive home. After about 30 seconds something broke off the car, flying into the ditch, and the car immediately sounded normal again. When I got home and turned off the car, it would not start again. It clicks, but there is no starter action. Am I correct in assuming that I destroyed the starter? Why would the starter have not disengaged originally?

 

[Shoaz]

Sounds like the solenoid stuck on. The piece that flew out may have been the starter or part of it.

The starter is on the front of the engine, on the bottom just behind the radiator, at the junction between the oil pan, engine block, and the transmission. You may be able to take a take a peek under there and see what's up. If a piece flew off, the damage is likely visible. If the starter is still there intact, then, hmmm...must be sumtin' else?

 

[TYSHO]

You are Brave to be driving like that!

You will now need a new starter, starter solenoid, and battery cables. If you leave the old cables and replace the starter and solenoid, chances are the solenoid will stick again.

You better hope you didn't break the transmission casing! Can't believe you didn't see the smoke!

 

[Lessons_learned]

I panicked. The ideal thing would have been to try to flag down someone with tools and disconnect the battery cable.

BTW, why would I need to replace my battery cables?

You are Brave to be driving like that!

You will now need a new starter, starter solenoid, and battery cables. If you leave the old cables and replace the starter and solenoid, chances are the solenoid will stick again.

You better hope you didn't break the transmission casing! Can't believe you didn't see the smoke!

 

[Ishodu]

The cables could have got burnt with the current flowing though them for that amount of time. If the starter was being turned by the engine you could have created a generator also. This could also **** the cables and the battery and maybe more, hopefully not.

 

[SHOZ123]

I've got quick disconnects on my battery. Only takes a second to pop them apart.

 

[TYSHO]

BTW, why would I need to replace my battery cables?

Most likely when the solenoid sticks, you're cables are corroded and not giving proper voltage/ground to the solenoid.

I went through 5-7 solenoids before I found that out!

 

[Lessons_learned]

Actually the battery ground cable does look pretty rusty. Maybe that was the culprit. I still haven't had the courage to look under the car.

Most likely when the solenoid sticks, you're cables are corroded and not giving proper voltage/ground to the solenoid.

I went through 5-7 solenoids before I found that out!

 

[TYSHO]

Actually the battery ground cable does look pretty rusty. Maybe that was the culprit. I still haven't had the courage to look under the car.

I bet if you slit it, or take a look at the whole cable, you'll see some green wires!

 

[Lessons_learned]

All, thanks for the help. I replaced the positive and negative cables, the starter, and the solenoid. Works great. The starter teeth and flywheel teeth were unaffected. The starter spun up so fast that the winding wire flew off and blew up the housing on the rear of the starter.