Bad starter? Relay? Both?

[SouthpawShootr]

Story of my life. I took my 90 5.0 LX Sport out for a short drive today. Everything was fine. Later when I went out to run a few errands I started it up and it started making this godawful screeching noise. The engine was running, so I turned it off and removed the key. Noise was still there. Popped the hood and the engine was still running. Not cranking, running. Had to disconnect the battery to get everything to stop. When I reconnected it, the screeching sound again started in. There was a slight odor of something burning as well. I did not allow this to continue, but it did take me a few minutes to disconnect the battery when this first happened. My father told me that it sounds to him like the starter motor isn't disengaging.

I poked around this forum (which has been so helpful in the past) and really haven't matched the symptoms. One close contender eventually found his problem to be a starter relay. Well, I replaced that relay with a brand new Ford factory part about a month or so ago b/c the original went bad and none of the electrical stuff in the car wouldn't work. Cured the problem and it worked like a champ until today.

I'll add that, aside from the aforementioned relay problem, this car has always started first attempt. No grinding or any other abnormal noises. Certainly nothing like it was doing today. This isn't a daily driver, but more like my hobby/weekend car.

Is it possible that the starter is bad and has also wiped out my new relay? In other words, should I order a new relay when I get the starter?

 

[Aryan15]

I would start by replacing the ignition switch. You have to able to turn off the car.

 

[HISSIN50]

If one thinks the starter is continuing to crank, check for 12 volts on the starter cable side of the solenoid. A latched solenoid will allow the starter to turn with the ignition off.
If there is 12 volts at this wire, check the small wire at 12 o'clock on the solenoid. If this is present, look for a shorted S-terminal wire between the clutch switch and the solenoid (this assumes the clutch switch functions as it did originally).

If you think the engine was actually running, as Aryan said, the ignition switch is a real nice place to start.

Good luck.