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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-

1989 Mustang Gt starter staying engaged

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rmayes31
  • Start date Start date Apr 9, 2011
R

Rmayes31

New Member
Apr 9, 2011
2
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0
Apr 9, 2011
#1
  • Apr 9, 2011
  • #1
I'm at a loss on this one, my 1989 gt just kept eating starters.

its not the flywheel, just put in a brand new one.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
R

Rmayes31

New Member
Apr 9, 2011
2
0
0
Apr 9, 2011
#2
  • Apr 9, 2011
  • #2
realllllyyyyy need help on this guys.
 

89_LX

Member
Sep 16, 2007
63
0
17
Bellingham, WA
Apr 9, 2011
#3
  • Apr 9, 2011
  • #3
Double check that the starter is perfectly flat against the bell housing. Could be the starter drive hanging/binding on the flywheel.

Pull the starter wire from the relay and have someone check the starter side of the relay with a test light while you crank it. If the light stays on after you quit cranking then the your ignition switch, relay or bad wiring is giving the starter power for too long.

If none of that works than probably something wrong with the bendix drive in the starter getting stuck, or you somehow have the wrong tooth combination between flywheel/starter.



---
 

mob

the guy who hits on his mom
20+ Year Stangneter
Oct 3, 2003
2,566
136
104
Dallas, TX
Apr 9, 2011
#4
  • Apr 9, 2011
  • #4
The starting system is pretty simple. You got the switch, a solenoid, and the starter. The solenoid is cheap enough to just replace, the switch and the starter you can test.
 

S&B

I hate my CT. :(
10 Year Member
Dec 18, 2005
1,634
695
204
Cheesehead
Apr 9, 2011
#5
  • Apr 9, 2011
  • #5
I would modify to make it Pull start
 

stang&2Birds

Founding Member
May 4, 2000
2,091
5
58
New England. :-) CT/MA
Apr 10, 2011
#6
  • Apr 10, 2011
  • #6
Define "eating".

What type of alternator are you using? How many wires go to the alternator - one or two?

Have you tried a new battery?
 

CarMichael Angelo

my rearend will smell so minty fresh,
15 Year Member
Nov 29, 1999
10,641
8,909
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Birmingham, al
Apr 10, 2011
#7
  • Apr 10, 2011
  • #7
are you using the plate between the block and bell housing? If not, are you using the smaller shim plate that is specific to the starter?
 

darthcual

Member
Mar 31, 2005
985
19
18
Arlington, TX
Apr 11, 2011
#8
  • Apr 11, 2011
  • #8
If its staying engaged the starter solenoid has frozen in the closed position.
 
F

FoxTail

Member
Jan 2, 2011
35
0
6
Central Illinois
Apr 11, 2011
#9
  • Apr 11, 2011
  • #9
I know you said its not your flywheel because you just replaced it....but.....everything on my car works perfect until I decide to mess with it.

In other words, if you never had a starter problem, changed your flywheel, and all of the sudden continue to have starter problems, only one thing has changed in this equation, and thats the flywheel. Something to doublecheck you did right. Did you get the right flywheel? Is that the original engine in the car? Make sure you ordered the right flywheel weight, tooth count, and starter for the engine.

Also, if you changed your flywheel, that means you had the large shield in between the bellhousing and engine out. Make sure you put it back in. If you dont, it can throw the clearances off and cause you problems. Of course, I have seen some people run it without and do just fine, others have problems. (someone else mentioned this above I believe.)

Good luck in your search.
 
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