Starter/ignition issue

[pontiacvince]

I am having an issue that has just started. I got in my '71 and started it and the starter stayed engaged. I turned it off and tried to restart, and there was nothing. Went out and tapped on the starter housing and it eventually started and I drove home. Tried to restart, and the starter engaged with the key in the "On" position (not the start position). Did that repeatedly. Just replaced the starter with a new one with new solenoid. No change. Still engages the starter with the key in the "On" position. Could this be the ignition switch or something else I'm missing???

[72SB]

yes it could be the ignition switch or one of the wires to it is grounding.

[HO455]

Originally Posted by 72SB

yes it could be the ignition switch or one of the wires to it is grounding.

Well not exactly if there was a grounded wire there would be melted wires or arcing.

There could be fused contacts in the ignition switch or the solenoid but that is usually indicated by the starter continuing to run when the key is switched to off. And the only way to stop it is disconnecting the battery.

The starter staying engaged after the ignition switch is off is generally a sign that the Bendix in the starter has stuck. Add the fact that tapping on the starter allowed the engine to be started, all the evidence points to a starter problem.

An improperly shimmed starter can cause this sort of problem but it generally shows up when the starter is new.

I hope my opinions help. Let us know what you find.

[Sheepdip]

Sounds like a ignition switch problem, but before throwing anymore parts/money at it I would start with testing the ignition switch. Get a good ohm meter if you don't already own one, unplug and remove the ignition switch itself and go to town proving it's good, including giving the pigtail that plugs into the back of it a good visual that it hasn't got hot and melted losing isolation between contacts. If the switch proves good move on to the wiring.

[HO455]

I changed my troubleshooting direction after reading further information in the link below.


http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=850481