1971 Ignition Won't Stop Turning
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
1971 Ignition Won't Stop Turning
New to the Forum but like helping each other! I bought a 71 Corvette last month and when I went to pull it out of the garage, the starter engaged and won't stop turning without taking the battery post off. I did the simpler thing and changed out the solenoid thinking it was sticking. No change in result. Turning the key does nothing to stop the starter. Anybody experience that before?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,632
Likes: 112
From: Great Plains Iowa
New to the Forum but like helping each other! I bought a 71 Corvette last month and when I went to pull it out of the garage, the starter engaged and won't stop turning without taking the battery post off. I did the simpler thing and changed out the solenoid thinking it was sticking. No change in result. Turning the key does nothing to stop the starter. Anybody experience that before?
It sounds like the starter drive (Bendix) is getting jammed into the ring gear teeth so it's staying engaged. Or your ignition switch is real gummed up and your key isn't returning to the "run" position. I would start with your key and see if it'll easily snap back after turning it to the START position.
Does your starter make a lot of noise when cranking? If so your starter may need to be shimmed down 1/16" or so to provide clearance.
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Starter Noise
I was thinking that it had to be in the column somehow as when I turn the key back it changes nothing. It seems that the power is not disengaging. If the bendix sticks, would the power not still shut off when you turn the key back all the way to off? The starter noise seems normal although I have only had it a short time. Electrical is my week point...
It sounds like the starter drive (Bendix) is getting jammed into the ring gear teeth so it's staying engaged. Or your ignition switch is real gummed up and your key isn't returning to the "run" position. I would start with your key and see if it'll easily snap back after turning it to the START position.
Does your starter make a lot of noise when cranking? If so your starter may need to be shimmed down 1/16" or so to provide clearance.
Does your starter make a lot of noise when cranking? If so your starter may need to be shimmed down 1/16" or so to provide clearance.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 139
From: Syracuse NY
Is it a robust turning over, or slow, battery draining kind of sound?
I ask because Ive seen on several occasions that an extremely low battery will do this. You crank the engine over and it just keeps slowly turning over ond over, slower and slower until you disconnect the battery. I dont know the science behind it, but as I said, Ive seen my corvette do it and witnessed it on a few older Fords.
I ask because Ive seen on several occasions that an extremely low battery will do this. You crank the engine over and it just keeps slowly turning over ond over, slower and slower until you disconnect the battery. I dont know the science behind it, but as I said, Ive seen my corvette do it and witnessed it on a few older Fords.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 71
Likes: 4
From: San Francisco CA
Disconnect battery. Run long jumper/test lead to purple wire on solenoid. Connect battery. Touch jumper/test lead to battery positive, starter turns, release jumper/test lead: if starter off-problem elsewhere, if still on-problem in starter mechanism/setup.
With test meter or test light on jumper/test lead (other meter/light lead to chassis ground), see if power goes on/off with ignition key.
With test meter or test light on jumper/test lead (other meter/light lead to chassis ground), see if power goes on/off with ignition key.
