The replacement starter is kind of loud and when I turn it off the starter tries to restart itself?

Tiny
EHARALSON
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.6L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 166,000 MILES
I recently got my starter changed. Brand new. When I start the car it’s kind of loud but when I turn it off the starter tries to restart itself. The only way to turn it off is to remove the lead from the battery. The guy who changed it said it’s an electrical issue. Is this true?
Sunday, August 28th, 2022 AT 12:38 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,709 POSTS
Hi,

Yes, it does sound electrical, but it may be something simple. Does this only happen when you turn the key to the start position and release it? Or does it engage as soon as you reattach the battery?

On the starter motor, there will be a red wire that has power at all times. There will also be a purple wire that only gets power when the key is in that start position. If in some way the purple wire is touching the red wire, the starter will engage.

On the other hand, the starter relay may be faulty.

Let's try something simple. If you open the hood and then the fuse box, you will see the starter relay (see pic 1 below). Switch it with a different relay having the same part number. See if that changes how the starter motor works. Have a helper turn the key for you. If the starter stays engaged with the different relay, pull the relay and see if it stops. If it doesn't, disconnect the battery.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.
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Sunday, August 28th, 2022 AT 8:54 PM

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