Starter will not disengage?
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Pacific North West WA
Starter will not disengage?
2000 Coupe Automatic 24k miles
First time it stayed engaged after motor started, and was running, I didn't know what the noise was. After looking under the hood I turned of the key, noise continued. I turned the key back to ON position (not Start) and the motor started up again. Though it must be dieseling.
Turned key off and pulled it out, noise continued. Turned key to ON position (not Start) and motor started up again. I tried giving it a little quick pump on the gas peddle,loud POP noise, and other sound gone.
Drove it for two days , no problem.
Today it did it again and I now know it is the starter staying engaged after the motor starts. Tried disconnecting battery, but each time the starter would continue when battery reconnected, even with the key out of ignition.
Well, the course of events ended up the same as the first time, after running for a minute or two a quick hit on the gas peddle finally disengaged it.
It is home in the garage. So, what am I looking for? Any help?
Thanks
Dale
First time it stayed engaged after motor started, and was running, I didn't know what the noise was. After looking under the hood I turned of the key, noise continued. I turned the key back to ON position (not Start) and the motor started up again. Though it must be dieseling.
Turned key off and pulled it out, noise continued. Turned key to ON position (not Start) and motor started up again. I tried giving it a little quick pump on the gas peddle,loud POP noise, and other sound gone.
Drove it for two days , no problem.
Today it did it again and I now know it is the starter staying engaged after the motor starts. Tried disconnecting battery, but each time the starter would continue when battery reconnected, even with the key out of ignition.
Well, the course of events ended up the same as the first time, after running for a minute or two a quick hit on the gas peddle finally disengaged it.
It is home in the garage. So, what am I looking for? Any help?
Thanks
Dale
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente CA
This happened to me once on my old Firebird. Turned out the solenoid was shorted-out and kept juicing the starter. Try dropping the starter and replacing the solenoid. Make sure all your connections are in good shape too.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Pacific North West WA
In looking things over last night it looks like the power cable has been hot enough to weaken the solder joint on the end fitting attached to the starter.
I don't think this is going to be an easy fix in the end.
Dale
I don't think this is going to be an easy fix in the end.
Dale
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: Slave to the evil empire
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St. Jude Donor '04
If that was the case then the starter would not be getting power, as stated above it really sounds like the starter solenoid is sticking. 
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From: Pacific North West WA
Followed the cable from the starter up to the battery.
Found the post melted out of the battery (new red top).
Checking for acid leak under the battery now(hope not).
Dropping exhaust for access.
Dale
Found the post melted out of the battery (new red top).
Checking for acid leak under the battery now(hope not).
Dropping exhaust for access.
Dale
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by ZRONEABE
Followed the cable from the starter up to the battery.
Found the post melted out of the battery (new red top).
Checking for acid leak under the battery now(hope not).
Dropping exhaust for access.
Dale
Found the post melted out of the battery (new red top).
Checking for acid leak under the battery now(hope not).
Dropping exhaust for access.
Dale
Bummer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Originally Posted by TheDVS1
Sounds like you're drawing so much juice thru the cable with the shorted solenoid that it's overheated and self-destructed! Solenoids are cheap. Change the solenoid, cable and - battery, if necessary.
Bummer.
Bummer.
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Pacific North West WA
Starter out on the bench, it is completely FRIED!
Starter gear jammed on end of staft, no spring etc.
Little pieces falling out of it on the bench.
New starter, Optima and cables.
Starts just like it should.
A simple starter failure.
Now that I know how close to a car fire it must have been a wrench to disconnect the battery is a must. The 'crank' fuse # 14 takes too long to access under the passenger floor board.
Glad this went down at home and not on our road trip the South Dakota!
Dale
Starter gear jammed on end of staft, no spring etc.
Little pieces falling out of it on the bench.
New starter, Optima and cables.
Starts just like it should.
A simple starter failure.
Now that I know how close to a car fire it must have been a wrench to disconnect the battery is a must. The 'crank' fuse # 14 takes too long to access under the passenger floor board.
Glad this went down at home and not on our road trip the South Dakota!
Dale
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 2
From: San Clemente CA
Originally Posted by runamuk
Thats exactly what happened, a couple years ago I had a starter stick on a forklift and after about 20 minutes the positive cable to the starter was glowing red and we had to cut the ground cable to kill it.
ZRON, glad you got everything fixed. Most likely the solenoid fried your starter too, in addition to the cable and battery.
OH, BTW I now have a nice battery disconnect on the Firebird. Cheap insurance.
