starter question
Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 594
Likes: 0
From: Gotham City CA
I had the exact same thing happen. I pulled the starter and had a parts house check both my starter and solenoid. They said both were fine and the problem was in the wiring. After lying under the car with a voltmeter while my wife turned the key and tested each wire, I found no problem. I decided to go with my gut and replace the solenoid. That was over two years ago. Even if the solenoid checks out good, don't trust it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Something else to consider: You stated that the starter "wouldn't turn off". Only a defective solenoid will cause that problem. However, if the Bendix drive [on the end of the starter shaft] is not disengaging from the flywheel, you may get a 'whiring' sound that kinda sounds like the starter is still running. Listen closely, and if it sounds more like gear noise than motor/brush noise, it could be the Bendix drive not releasing. If that is the case, you still fix it the same way...drop the starter. But changing the Bendix is simpler than changing the solenoid. Good luck with your repair. [In either case, you don't need to replace the starter; but if the starter has a lot of years on it, you might want to replace the contact brushes.]
