Starter Won't Disengage

[dhinch279]

I have a 1991 Ford Ranger 2.3, 5 speed. The Truck will start but the starter won't disengage unless you pull the battery cables. Has anyone had this problem before? I have had the starter tested and it tested fine. I have also replaced the solenoid on the fenderwell and it still didn't fix it. Let me know if anyone has some advice, thanks

 

[Kenneth S]

Have someone start the truck, and if the starter stays engaged, tap the solenoid with a decent size screwdriver using the handle to hit the solenoid, if it disengages the starter then you need a good genuine motorcraft solenoid instead of a el-cheapo one, if the sharp tap to the solenoid doesn't work remove the wire from the S terminal of the starter solenoid, attach a volt meter or test light to S wire and turn the ign key to start the truck like normal, release the ign switch to the run position, and see if you are still getting power to the S wire, if there's still power it's either a short, feedback, or ignition switch problem.

 

[Loanranger]

Solinoid.

 

[Mark_88]

I had it happen to my Ranger one night...it was a short...so try what Kenneth suggested...outside of that, check the ground wire because that was a major source of problems for my truck...seemed to vibrate loose all the time...

BTW, my starter did not need to be replaced...from this situation...it was a loose wire somewhere...and it happened during a stall out on a very snowy cold night...first time I had to have the truck towed for problems...

 

[thcscubajohn]

Old thread, but I'm having this issue and I am fairly certain that the solenoid is not the issue.

Story goes:
I burnt out one starter because the signal wire post was broken and contacting the power wire. The replacement starter was brand new and cranked over once then made a horrible screeching noise and wouldn't crank again. I then changed the fender solenoid even though I didn't really suspect it was bad. It still didn't crank, so I had the starter warrantied. The new, NEW starter won't disengage. I crank, fire, then the starter is still cranking the whole time it's running and stops when I shut the key off.

I tried the new new starter on both solenoids, to the same result. I checked the S terminal and it checked out so that rules out the ignition (which is only 2 years old). Both positive and negative battery cables are brand new, as well as the battery.

P.S. 4.0L 5spd

 

[thcscubajohn]

Old thread, but I'm having this issue and I am fairly certain that the solenoid is not the issue.

Story goes:
I burnt out one starter because the signal wire post was broken and contacting the power wire. The replacement starter was brand new and cranked over once then made a horrible screeching noise and wouldn't crank again. I then changed the fender solenoid even though I didn't really suspect it was bad. It still didn't crank, so I had the starter warrantied. The new, NEW starter won't disengage. I crank, fire, then the starter is still cranking the whole time it's running and stops when I shut the key off.

I tried the new new starter on both solenoids, to the same result. I checked the S terminal and it checked out so that rules out the ignition (which is only 2 years old). Both positive and negative battery cables are brand new, as well as the battery.

P.S. 4.0L 5spd

Got it, amateur hour over here. Whilst switching the fender relay/solenoid back and forth I attached the alternator charge wire to the starter terminal. I effectively hardwired my starter to run off the alternator.

 

[adsm08]

Got it, amateur hour over here. Whilst switching the fender relay/solenoid back and forth I attached the alternator charge wire to the starter terminal. I effectively hardwired my starter to run off the alternator.

I suspected you had done something of the sort.

When I got my Mustang the starter would over-run for about 10 seconds, and it would burn one out about every three months.

While changing it out the second time I started checking the wiring and found a previous owner had gotten wires switched around.

 

[MsRanger]

Have someone start the truck, and if the starter stays engaged, tap the solenoid with a decent size screwdriver using the handle to hit the solenoid, if it disengages the starter then you need a good genuine motorcraft solenoid instead of a el-cheapo one, if the sharp tap to the solenoid doesn't work remove the wire from the S terminal of the starter solenoid, attach a volt meter or test light to S wire and turn the ign key to start the truck like normal, release the ign switch to the run position, and see if you are still getting power to the S wire, if there's still power it's either a short, feedback, or ignition switch problem.

I'm having the same problem and have brand new starter and starter relay or solenoid. I'm trying to put a push button start on it but now sure how to wire it up. Any help would be appreciated.