Starter problems

[Mark Wright]

Hi there.

I'm having some trouble with my starter. When I turn the ignition to the start position the starter engages and turns the engine over fine. The problem is that it won't shut off! I thought it may be the celunoid(?) but when I test it with the starter off the car it works fine. I know this points to the ignition switch but, when I take the top connection off the celunoid it stills goes. I thought that the top terminal came from the ignition switch so shouldn't it stop running with that connection off? Could anyone give me some suggestions so I can convince myself that I'm not on glue? Thanks!

[Daniel]

There are some possibilities that come to mind.The first is your starter bendix .The soleniod is just a low ampere switch that switches on the high amp starter cables.You were correct in checking that.When the starter "fires up"the bendix (the part with the small gear)is thrown into the flywheel gear which turns the motor over.It should retract when the key is moved from the start position.Either your bendix is bad,something in the starter is stopping it from retracting, or the teeth on the flywheel are worn and binding the bendix so it can't retract..Removing the wire from the starter does turn it off,but by then your car's engine is running and it is spinning the starter.Thats my guess. Have fun!! daniel