Strange Starter Selenoid Stuck Closed Problem

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Strange Starter Selenoid Stuck Closed Problem

December 23, 2009, 11:55:51 PM

Last night when I was starting the Bird, the starter kept running. No big deal I just figured the fender mounted selenoid was sticking in the closed position and had went bad. Removing the small wire from the ignition switch 12v+ made no difference. Good thing I did not tighten the negative cable on the battery too much because I was able to pull it off to make the starter stop. I tried putting the cable back on and it was still trying to start. I tapped the selenoid real hard with something and it seemed to go back to the off position.

Today I put a brand new selenoid on. Later the new one did the same thing. I tested the selenoid with a multimeter to see if there was continuity bewteen the two large posts on the selenoid and there was. I hit the new selenoid and checked it again with the multimeter and it no longer had continuity. Keep in mind I am checking all this with the ignition switch wire removed from the selenoid. After that it went back to normal. I just don't understand why a new selenoid would stick unless the new one is bad too.

I recall a few months ago working on the distributor. I remember while turning the distributor to adjust it with the engine off, the engine did the strangest thing and tried to start. This happened a couple of times while I was adjusting it. I could not understand how it is possible. I am wondering if there is something in the ignition system that would trigger the starter to try to start. None if this makes sense to me why it is happening.

Strange Starter Selenoid Stuck Closed Problem

Reply #1 – December 24, 2009, 02:27:06 AM

What of your ignition switch? If it is very loose it may possibly start...

I bought an 86 5.0 cheap for the condition it was in from a chevy guy. He just replaced the starter, flywheel and a bunch of other random things. He wouldn't let me start it, but he let me drive it all I wanted on the test drive. First time I pulled up in the driveway, I went to start it after and it wouldn't shut off. Exact same problem as yours. It was the solenoid. I'm guessing he couldn't figure it out because on chevy's the starter has the solenoid on it.

Try getting another one and testing that one as well. Maybe the new one is bad?

Strange Starter Selenoid Stuck Closed Problem

Reply #2 – December 24, 2009, 03:27:05 AM

your not alone in the lost department,, id feel the same way but it appears your troubleshooting and thinking correctly.

there are acceptable failure rates in any industry as each and every sold device is not checked.

Strange Starter Selenoid Stuck Closed Problem

Reply #3 – December 24, 2009, 04:00:51 AM

If you can, find someone with a Ford vehcile that's willing to let you test a known good one...shoot, if it comes to it, I have one I'll give to you if need be...

If it still does it, I'd check into the ign switch, but it does souns like the solenoid...

Strange Starter Selenoid Stuck Closed Problem

Reply #4 – December 24, 2009, 05:47:00 AM

Quote from: FordTruckFreeek;303789

If you can, find someone with a Ford vehcile that's willing to let you test a known good one...shoot, if it comes to it, I have one I'll give to you if need be...

If it still does it, I'd check into the ign switch, but it does souns like the solenoid...

I don't think it couldn't possibly be the ignition switch because I removed the "S" terminal from the solenoid and it was still stuck. I believe it still may be a bad new selenoid.

Strange Starter Selenoid Stuck Closed Problem

Reply #5 – December 24, 2009, 06:08:50 AM

Quote from: Watchdevil;303795

I don't think it couldn't possibly be the ignition switch because I removed the "S" terminal from the selenoid and it was still stuck. I believe it still may be a bad new selenoid.

Is it still cranking, or is the starter gear simply still engaged in the flywheel? Pull the coil wire and give it a try. My bet is that the starter will stop when you release the key. If so, the starter gear is most likely staying engaged in the flywheel. If you have changed it recently, it could be due to the starter being too tight to the flywheel due to a manufacturing error. If not, it may simply be a bad starter.

Merry Christmas!
Bill

Strange Starter Selenoid Stuck Closed Problem

Reply #6 – December 24, 2009, 12:06:35 PM

good point but it doesnt fit the situation. He says he was able to make the problem go away by beating the solenoid.

Strange Starter Selenoid Stuck Closed Problem

Reply #7 – December 24, 2009, 12:13:47 PM

Heheh, I had the same problem earlier this year, after I put the new motor in, my OE solenoid finally died(Click, click) so I went to Napa and bought a replacement. 1 Month later it would not disengage, so I replaced it and the battery connector(Had to snap it off in the dark). 2 Months after that the new one failed as well about 400 miles from home. "To hell with this" I went straight to Ford and bought an OE Solenoid for less than the cost of the two solenoids, and so far, 4 months later, so good.

Strange Starter Selenoid Stuck Closed Problem

Reply #8 – December 24, 2009, 09:16:10 PM

Quote from: jcassity;303825

good point but it doesnt fit the situation. He says he was able to make the problem go away by beating the solenoid.

Oops! missed that one.

Merry Christmas!
Bill

Strange Starter Selenoid Stuck Closed Problem

Reply #9 – December 30, 2009, 08:25:35 PM

A sticking starter solenoid is usually a pretty good indication that a starter is going south. However, everything on an automobile is typically designed to be barely sufficient to do the job, especially the electrical components. Sticking solenoids/relays are usually caused by welding. The fender mounted version later became a RELAY, not Solenoid, and was designed to switch about 10 amps for engaging the real solenoid mounted on the starter, i.e. the mini-starters that use the gear reduction. This is the design used on my '92 F-150, and it works well. The newer relay carries the came part number in most parts houses, but here's the rub. They, like said before, are rated for about 10 amps. The old one would have been rated for about 100 amps continuous, 300 momentary, because it has to carry actual starter motor current. That said, if the starter bushings are dragging, the brushes are dirty/worn, there are shorted turns in the armature, your starter may be drawing a lot more current than it used to. If it's the original starter, I'd bet on it needing a good rebuild and cleaning, minimum.

Find and check the manufacturer's spec sheet on the solenoid you buy, and make sure the main contacts are good for at least 100A continuous, or you're probably going to have the sticking problem again. Whacking it with a hammer is only going to work so many times, and pretty much confirms the stuck/welded contacts.

Strange Starter Selenoid Stuck Closed Problem

Reply #10 – December 30, 2009, 10:06:51 PM

It's possible you got a bum solenoid out of the box. Or it's just a cheapo as mentioned above.