Keeps cranking arggg wtf

[83_rangerdave]

83 ranger 2.8 with auto tranny well funny thing is ive had problems with it cranking anyway like the timing too high but isnt, like it use too barely crank over and would cause batt cable too get hot hot at the solenoid but if it was jumped it was fine, well went one day too crank it and nothing battery dead so i figured it was bad, nope i went too hook new batt and it cranks itself with key out of ignition !!! wow what is going on here?? I replaced solenoid and weird thing is it worked and i drove it towards house and stoped at post office and turned truck off and went too crank it and nothing dead battery again so i tryed jumping and it cranks itself over and arcs the jumper cables and gets them hot hot. what should i do? could the starter be bad ? what kind of tests should i do any help be great ive been without truck for 2 weeks now thanks

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Mine did that.

Back when I was dabbling with different carburetors it stalled on a more main street. I went to start it and the starter didn't disengage and was fighting the engine, I wanted to get off the street so I didn't get rear ended... so I let the battle ensue and with a terrible noise the starter finally kicked out. After that it sounded really bad cranking over.

So I replaced the starter, and it hasn't stuck on since. My theory is the old starter pulled enough juice that it held the relay engaged until either I jumped out and pulled the cable, or tortured the starter with the engine.