gies222

I have already replaced the ignition switch and am moving on to the solenoid since I just put a rebuilt starter/solenoid on my car. The car ran fine before the starter double started and destroyed the teeth on the old starter. I really can't think of any other possible causes for this. I the solenoid possibly the cause of this problem. And yes, I am sure I wired up the new starter correctly. Thanks for any help

Mike C#2

There is a second wire on the starter that is supposed to give a full 12v to the coil in starting. It could be that replacing the solenoid this wire wound up with 12v continuous to it and so after starting you can't kill power to the coil. The full 12v will kill points sooner rather than later.

If you have electronic ignition (MSD for example) it could be feedback through the generator light sends a strong enough signal to keep firing ignition.

65GGvert

turn the key off and measure the positive wire on the coil, If it has 12 volts on it trace back to see where it's coming from, probably around the solenoid.

AZDoug

Yeah, probably accidental wire contact to power terminal at the solenoid if you didn't hook up the wires wrong down there.
Doug

gies222

thanks for all the suggestions. The wiring is the same to the solenoid as it was before the starter self destructed. Its getting that 12v from somewhere and I can only think something is messed up inside the solenoid....;like ...both side terminals are connected constantly inside the solenoid. I don't know if that's even possible. I am planning to put a new solenoid on tomorrow but I will definitely try to trace the 12v source that is keeping the engine running with the ignition switch off. Thanks all!

plaidside

Just remove the outer wire, R terminal, from the starter and see if that solves the problem.
Joe

Sky65

Check at the coil positive terminal. Either the resistor wire is hot or the starter wire is hot with the key off. Disconnect both from the coil and check for voltage on both. That will tell you which wire is causing it then back trace from there.

Tom

gies222

I traced the hot wire from the coil "+" side and found the purple black wire was hot with key off. I traced the wire to the fuse block side and back to the coil "R" side. I eventually found the12v coming from the "R" side of the solenoid ? I am not sure if the R side is supposed to be hot all the time! Thanks again for your help.

Factoid

Sky65

Just to be clear you have power at the R post wire from the starter with the wires disconnected from the coil, key off. If so you as Factoid said you have a solenoid problem.

Tom

AZDoug

Or the purple wire is accidentally contacting a hot wire at the solenoid. If you have ever taken a solenoid apart, you would find a bad solenoid giving power all the time, is highly unlikely, though i suppose some weird manufacturing defect could have happened. If you have power at teh purple wire from teh internal contacts in teh solenoid, the starter should be cranking also, as the same contact plate powers both
Doug

gies222

This was a bad solenoid and I took it apart just to verify. It was a poor rebuild on the solenoid. The solenoid came with the rebuilt starter.

R66

Great quality control on the stuff from Mexico, China, etc. - Right. Sometimes I think I am replacing JUNK with JUNK.

Factoid

AZDoug

What exactly was wrong with the solenoid to cause constant contact??

I have never seen a rebuilt solenoid used on a starter rebuild, but then, i haven't bought a rebuilt starter in 40 years.

Usually a solenoid fails when the round contact plate becomes too pitted to conduct electricity, in which case, you can some just flip it over.

Doug

gies222

It was a new contact plate and was throughly pitted due to the flimsey copper contact being bent and making almost constant contact. Sure caused a problem!

JOHN A. GALLO

Thank you everyone for all your wonderful help...On the 56 switch the Batt pole has two slip on terminals ... believe it or not one side is continuous hot the other hot only when key on..I tested both poles and that was my problem I had them reversed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! happy happy happy

I will post some pictures and put htis wonderful rare car for sale Someone will get a really nice one.. I have decided to sell all my cars.. Yes, going south.. no more COLD

Love yopu guys, John Gallo

vettebuyer6369

Not sure this is related to this thread from 2018,