Starter does not disengage

Good morning.

It is possible.

Does it ever disengage?

Can you post a picture of the solenoid wiring?

It could also be a stuck relay or the starter motor itself.

Roy

One quick question. Is this a new starter that you just installed or one that has been working and just started doing this?

Jon

Thanks for that. That is a pretty low mileage vehicle for a 1996 by the way! I am taking it on faith that the starter motor itself is no still cranking the engine and that it is just that the gear is still engaged in the flywheel.

If the starter motor never stops trying to crank the engine (as if you never let go of the key I mean) Then that would be an electrical problem as described above.

Two mechanical answers can happen to make this happen:

1. The coil spring on the Bendix has failed and is no longer able to pull the starter gear away from the flywheel. (In this case you would need a new starter)
2. The second one is not possible since the starter was already working but involves the center to center distance between the starter and flywheel is too tight. (Some older GM starters needed to be shimmed but Ford does not use this system).

To see if the spring is broken on the starter you will need to remove it. Disconnect the battery before removing it. Remove the two bolts on the starter and slide it out of the housing. If the spring is broken you should very easily be able to move the gear in and out by hand and once it is out (extended) it should pull itself back in. If not, that is your problem. New starter needed!

Before jumping into replacing the starter make sure the relay is releasing the power to the solenoid. It may be as simple as a relay.

Do not want you to spend a lot of money on something that will not fix it.

Roy

Left front out by the headlight is a relay box.

Picture attached.

Roy

It will be in a relay box, yes.

Roy

There should only be one blower relay.

Have someone try to start the truck and see if you feel one of the relays click. If you are worried about the starter sticking, then remove the small wire on the starter solenoid. That will not stop the relay from working.

Roy

Wow! No it is not.

The positive battery cable goes to one stud. All the other big eyelet wires go on that stud as well as they feed other systems.

The wire to the starter motor goes on the other stud. No other wire should be on there. That is why you have your issue.

The little wire is good.

Roy

You are welcome.

Always glad to help.

Roy