New starter continually runs

Erik.Hosler · 2007-01-25T14:18:12+00:00

I was wondering if anybody out there might be able to give me someinsight to an issue that I have with a brand new starter I justinstalled on a '95 Wrangler SE. The installation required that I use anew batter terminal connection because the stock wires were to short toreach the ground and hot wire posts on the starter. This newconnection required that I splice the wires coming out of the fuse boxthat holds the relay swithc for the starter and the fuses for othersensors and switches (ie fuel pump). The problem comes in when Ireconnect the hook-ups to the batter terminals the starter turns on andwon't turn off, even with the key out of the ignition. When the key isin the on position the starter will turn over the engine, but stillwon't turn off. The only way to turn off the starter is to disconnectthe battery again.I haven't replaced the starter relay or the ignition switch yet andthink that may be the cause of the issue, however I wanted to see ifsomebody had this type of experience or had some other insight into thepossible cause.Thanks in advanced!Erik

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Earle Horton 19 years ago

If you jump to the smaller post on the Mean Green starter now, the starter should start up. It probably will, but this is just a sanity test to verify that you brought home a good unit from the parts store. Before you go much further, you should take note of the fact that the Mean Green starter lacks a nose cone bushing, which makes it an inherently weaker design. There is a reason that many people stick with OEM design components. Engineering is design, testing, testing, testing and more testing. From economic and scale considerations, there is just no way the Mean Green design has received the same amount and quality of testing as the OEM design.

From what you have posted, the brown wire is continually energized, whether the key is on or not. It should be easy to verify this with a test light or voltmeter, another sanity test. This could be caused by the key switch, the relay or a short in the wire. The relay sounds like the easiest thing to fix. Many times we go with the easiest fix first, but you have to decide whether you can throw away the price of a relay in case you are wrong.

Earle

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Mike Romain 19 years ago

I see what you are saying, I still think they have given you the wrong starter. Maybe it would fit a Chevy who's harness comes at the starter from below?

I can tell you for sure I would have refused that starter and asked to see others with the thought the wrong starter got tossed into the Jeep box.

I mean how good is that stupid starter anyway? I have a 5 year warranty on my Jeep starter and when it does crap out after the warranty, a rebuild kit is in the twenty dollar range.

Normally we just seize the brushes up from mud and dust. A clean with WD40 fixes that and when needed a $10.00 set of brushes is added. Brushes for my XJ's starter ran me $12.00 a couple years back, the last ones I bought for the GM style starter cost $4.00 from GM.

I also don't understand your test results. The bench test shows a normal starter, but when it was installed and the small wire removed it still cranked?

Mike

snipped-for-privacy@gmail.com wrote:

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Erik.Hosler 19 years ago

I am a bit confused as well.

I have to talk to my roommate about it as he is the one who preformed that test.

I'll let you guys know what he sez.

As to Earle's posting, yes when I jump to the smaller post the starter runs. So I'm going to check the brown smaller wire with a light tester to see if it has constant power. Which would then point to the ignition switch?

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Mike Romain 19 years ago

That would first imply a bad relay jammed on to me 'if' no one has touched the wires on the relay recently.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail > I am a bit confused as well.

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Erik.Hosler 19 years ago

We have a successful running starter!

The relay was altimately the issue. I light tested the brown wire and found that it was constantly hot, signifying that the relay was stuck open. So I went and got a new relay installed that, re-installed the starter and hooked it up to the battery. After that I started and stopped the engine with out any noise coming from the stater.

Thanks for the help fellas!

Erik

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Outatime 19 years ago

I've forgotten who the OP was, but this has gotten SO completely out of hand.

I've had the exact same issue before in a Ford truck. The problem was a bad starter solonoid (the part mounted to the starter.) Solution: replace the starter motor with the highest quality part you can find. Avoid rebuilt if you can. If you must buy rebuilt, but it from the dealer. Most aftermarket rebuilt parts are JUNK and should be avoided.

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New starter continually runs

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