Starter continues to run after ignition off and key removed

Feb 04, 2005 5 Replies
91 Ford F150, 351 V8

One month ago, I got in my truck, thats only driven once or twice per week.



Turned key, nothing, no sounds, no clicks Turned key, nothing, no sounds, no clicks Raised hood tapped on starter selonoid Turned key and truck started.



Turned off engine and restarted Turned off engine and restarted Turned off engine and restarted. This time starter continued to run.



Turned off ignition and removed key starter continued to run, raised hood disconnected battery.



Replace selonoid, truck cranked and functioned normally.



Disassembled old selonoid found no problems. The relay functioned correctly connected to 12v battery.



Everything was fine next 4 weekends.



This week same problem. Is the 2nd selonoid bad, or could it be an ignition switch problem occassionally sending power to the selonoid with the ignition in off position and key removed?



Once and only once, 2 weeks ago. I was driving and noticed the dash gauges were not working. There again could I have an ignition switch problem?


Some fords use 2 solenoids, one on the fender and one on the started. The first one is the Neutral safety system. Once the starter turns over it's job is done. The second one is on the starter. This is how I learned: I just rebuilt my engine. Went to test start it, and it kept turning when running. I disconnected the top solenoid and the engine kept turning! This went against everything I had ever learned about Ford starting systems. So when at work the next day and looked up the schematic. At this time, change the starter

The solenoid was bad.

We will see how long this one last, the first replacement only lasted

35 days.

Isn't it wonderfully how electronic parts only carry a 30 day warranty.

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