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...after I release the key. This was a on my "65 GTO. The car didn't start and just as the battery was dying I pulled the negative battery terminal-probably wrong thing to do. Any help will be appreciated.
I don't understand the situation. Could you say it in different words?
Sure. Turned key to start the car and motor began to crank but car didn't start. When I turned the key back to the off position the car continued to crank with the key in the off position till the battery died at about the same time I pulled the negative terminal lead from the battery.
Similar problem on my son in laws 67 GO. Turned out to be an issue with the way he wired his alternator. I will check again with him and get more details.
Assuming nothing changed since you last started it (no component replacement, etc.), start with the ignition switch. They can stick in the start position. The easiest way to check this is to remove the wire from the S terminal on the starter, then with the negative battery terminal disconnected, check continuity from the wire you removed to the positive battery terminal. If you have continuity, troubleshoot from there (pull the connector from the ignition switch and see if the circuit opens, etc.)
Next questions: Have you changed anything electrical recently? Were there any other symptoms (e.g., gauges remained on when the key was in the off position)? Did the engine fire and run? Is that what you would expect of the engine?
First off, install a battery cutoff switch on the negative post.
I've heard of this before and seen it once....IIRC the worn flywheel teeth can get hooked enough to hold the starter drive engaged. Otherwise the starter solenoid is not releasing as the key moves to ON from START....an electrical issue.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 01-20-2019 at 10:33 AM.
I'd start with a test light on the starter terminal to check for power after you reconnect the battery. If you have power, the problem is in the "start" circuit. If you have no power, either the solenoid is stuck or your battery is completely dead.
I'd start with a test light on the starter terminal to check for power after you reconnect the battery. If you have power, the problem is in the "start" circuit. If you have no power, either the solenoid is stuck or your battery is completely dead.
Second vote for stuck solenoid. if the solenoid sticks the contacts inside will continue to feed 12 volts to the starter as long as the battery is connected.
Notice how the solenoid extending moves the contact plate at the rear to connect the battery directly to the starter motor. If the solenoid can't retract, either because of sticking, a broken spring, or binding in the flywheel teeth, the 12v stays connected.
Thank you all for your suggestions. Time for me to get to work. First thing is to get a cutoff on the negative terminal and then check continuity as per Factoids suggestion. I will report back when done.
If you're not swept up in the matching numbers to the third decimal place stuff; a GM solenoid can be obtained from Pep Boys or elsewhere and bolted on in about 30-45 minutes...
Use a knife-blade cutoff switch not those rinky-dink **** jobs...
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 01-20-2019 at 12:38 PM.
Have you owned the car for a while and this is a new problem? If so, I'd think it's likely the ignition switch or the solenoid.
If those are the source of the problem, it may be the flywheel/flexplate teeth holding the starter gear in the extended position. I had this problem with my '64. I added a shim to the starter and the problem was fixed. You can measure the clearance on the starter gear to the flywheel teeth with a standard paperclip.
Have you owned the car for a while and this is a new problem? If so, I'd think it's likely the ignition switch or the solenoid.
If those are the source of the problem, it may be the flywheel/flexplate teeth holding the starter gear in the extended position. I had this problem with my '64. I added a shim to the starter and the problem was fixed. You can measure the clearance on the starter gear to the flywheel teeth with a standard paperclip.
I've owned the car about 4 years and have put about 12,000 miles on it. Thank you for the added thoughts.
01-20-2019, 07:56 AM
Car continues to crank...
