Starter won't disengage.

[Unsung]

Having trouble figuring out why my starter won't disengage. Once you try to start it, it won't stop. Here's a list of things I've checked.

- replaced solenoid about 6x now.
- test light on starter post on solenoid, lights up as it should when ignition turned to START, and off when moved back to RUN.
- test light on ignition to S terminal wire, only lights up when ignition is on START.
- checked ignition wire from S terminal to ignition switch anyway, all in great shape.
- when it begins turning over and won't stop even with ignition off, I've removed starter cable which stopped it, but it will start again if returned to solenoid before removing battery cable to first get the power out of it.

I have no idea what is going on here. Is there something in the starter that could have gone bad that is somehow magnetizing the solenoid plunger and keeping the bridge between posts on? But I would think it would run out of juice after I remove the starter cable.

 

[Torxhead]

You can have the starter checked by some auto parts stores or an auto electric shop.

 

[Unsung]

I keep getting emails saying people have replied to this, but I see only one reply. Strange.

 

[Fastatv]

When I have experienced that, it was always the solenoid, and a good whack to the solenoid with the palm of my hand and the starter would disengage. I know that you had mentioned you replaced the solenoid 6 times. Could it be the wrong solenoid? Just a guess. I really dont see how it could be the starter as it won't turn unless voltage is present. Does the starter also have a solenoid built into the starter....or just the firewall mounted solenoid? Keeps us posted, and sorry I couldn't be more help.

 

[Unsung]

It's the standard universal solenoid that's on everything. Two large posts opposite each other, and two small posts marked I and S. I have whacked the thing before when it wouldn't stop, trying to make it stop with no luck. No solenoid on the starter. The starter is a '75 232i6 starter. I have put so many solenoids on it. New, used, and otherwise. I've put used ones off of other vehicles that work fine on the other vehicle but hang on this one. I'm at a loss. I think I'll just have to remove the wire from the S terminal, and put a push button start to connection the start to battery. Right now I'm cranking the thing from under the hood by touching the starter cable to the battery.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Have some one start it with you standing by the solenoid. when it doesnt diengage pull the wires from the little lugs on the side of the solenoid.. the I&S wires one at a time. If it disengages then you may have a wiring issue. If it stay on then you have a bad solenoid.. Im not the best on the starting ignition set ups on these but I hear some times they get electrical feed back once started that cause the solenoid to hang up. Have you done any ignition upgrades?

 

[Unsung]

Have some one start it with you standing by the solenoid. when it doesnt diengage pull the wires from the little lugs on the side of the solenoid.. the I&S wires one at a time. If it disengages then you may have a wiring issue. If it stay on then you have a bad solenoid.. Im not the best on the starting ignition set ups on these but I hear some times they get electrical feed back once started that cause the solenoid to hang up. Have you done any ignition upgrades?

No ignition upgrades. Nothing plugged in on I terminal. I have a wire sitting there that goes on one of those small terminals by plugging onto it, but I don't remember what it's for. When I hooked up all the wiring I hooked up what I knew it needed.

I tested the solenoid as I did before, to show someone how it didn't make sense, and now it isn't working at all. It clicks inside but the starter side post never gets hot. I guess I'll buy a solenoid after all.

 

[tarry99]

Having trouble figuring out why my starter won't disengage. Once you try to start it, it won't stop. Here's a list of things I've checked.

- replaced solenoid about 6x now.
- test light on starter post on solenoid, lights up as it should when ignition turned to START, and off when moved back to RUN.
- test light on ignition to S terminal wire, only lights up when ignition is on START.
- checked ignition wire from S terminal to ignition switch anyway, all in great shape.
- when it begins turning over and won't stop even with ignition off, I've removed starter cable which stopped it, but it will start again if returned to solenoid before removing battery cable to first get the power out of it.

I have no idea what is going on here. Is there something in the starter that could have gone bad that is somehow magnetizing the solenoid plunger and keeping the bridge between posts on? But I would think it would run out of juice after I remove the starter cable.

Pull the starter and test it on the ground or bench and see if it engages and dis-engages while out of the vehicle. Just use some jumper cables to get power to it............Look at the teeth on the drive gear and also on the flywheel.......to see if there is a mismatch.
Could be it needs a touch of lube on the gear engagement drive or its a little out of alignment when it is bolted to the motor. Some require shims or sometimes you can loosen it in place and slightly move and re-tighten..........

 

[Fastatv]

No ignition upgrades. Nothing plugged in on I terminal. I have a wire sitting there that goes on one of those small terminals by plugging onto it, but I don't remember what it's for. When I hooked up all the wiring I hooked up what I knew it needed.

I tested the solenoid as I did before, to show someone how it didn't make sense, and now it isn't working at all. It clicks inside but the starter side post never gets hot. I guess I'll buy a solenoid after all.

Wanted to say, if I remember correctly, I have seen starters hang up ( the firewall solenoid that is ) when battery voltage was low. I know, its a long shot, but have you checked the battery voltage at the solenoid? Ideally should be between 12.6 and 12.8 volts.

 

[Fastatv]

Having trouble figuring out why my starter won't disengage. Once you try to start it, it won't stop. Here's a list of things I've checked.

- replaced solenoid about 6x now.
- test light on starter post on solenoid, lights up as it should when ignition turned to START, and off when moved back to RUN.
- test light on ignition to S terminal wire, only lights up when ignition is on START.
- checked ignition wire from S terminal to ignition switch anyway, all in great shape.
- when it begins turning over and won't stop even with ignition off, I've removed starter cable which stopped it, but it will start again if returned to solenoid before removing battery cable to first get the power out of it.

I have no idea what is going on here. Is there something in the starter that could have gone bad that is somehow magnetizing the solenoid plunger and keeping the bridge between posts on? But I would think it would run out of juice after I remove the starter cable.

I'm curious, did you ever get this issue resolved?

 

[tarry99]

I'm curious, did you ever get this issue resolved?

Fastatv..................That's a great question..........and the unfortunate answer is for all of us on these forums that take our time to research , help and answer questions to help these folks with the problems some really never respond as to whether or not the help was beneficial and the problem was in fact solved.

This in some cases becomes counter intuitive as with no response some may then not take the time to even respond to help!

Lets face it this is supposed to be a Learning experience for "All" not just the person that asked.

 

[Jimbos76cj]

Fastatv..................That's a great question..........and the unfortunate answer is for all of us on these forums that take our time to research , help and answer questions to help these folks with the problems some really never respond as to whether or not the help was beneficial and the problem was in fact solved.

This in some cases becomes counter intuitive as with no response some may then not take the time to even respond to help!

Lets face it this is supposed to be a Learning experience for "All" not just the person that asked.

Or they fixed it and been enjoying it to much to report back.

 

[thistle3585]

I had a similar same problem, ignition was in the dash, and a new ignition switch resolved it. I could get it to disengage by "rattling" the key. The problem was the cylinder was rotating and not springing back to the ON position. It stayed in start.