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  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
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Car Starts To Crank " When Its Off!"

  • Thread starter Thread starter Taino
  • Start date Start date May 19, 2012

Taino

Member
Nov 29, 1999
146
9
19
May 19, 2012
#1
  • May 19, 2012
  • #1
Ok so I start the car and it started but with a weird grinding noise, Car idled fine, put the car in gear and all went well till I got home. So I get in my garage and turn the car off, Then it seems like the starter is still cranking really bad (Mind you, the car is off) started smoking and cranking noise continues, I immediately disconnect the battery and Cranking noise stopped. I saw some white smoke coming from bottom rear, passenger side. Think it may be a short on the starter or somewhere in that area . Strang ????? Car was running fine, checked oil, water, nothing looks broken dont know whats up. Its Midnight was with my little girl. I just wanted to make it home. Anyone have this happen to them? Its by far the strangest thing every happen to me and have never heard anything like it ??????? Help!
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
2,652
223
gainesville
May 20, 2012
#2
  • May 20, 2012
  • #2
Happened to me the other day. I haven't had a chance to investigate but my primary culprit would be the contacts in the starter relay are stuck closed.
 

2000xp8

SN Certified Technician
Aug 8, 2003
8,027
1,618
194
NJ
May 20, 2012
#3
  • May 20, 2012
  • #3
Replace the starter solenoid.
 

Taino

Member
Nov 29, 1999
146
9
19
May 20, 2012
#4
  • May 20, 2012
  • #4
Will replace solenoid, thanks for the heads up. Did some research and it seems to be a common problem. Concerned it fried my starter, had white smoke coming out of it. Wouldn't the solenoid be sparking or show any sign or damage?
 

Taino

Member
Nov 29, 1999
146
9
19
May 20, 2012
#5
  • May 20, 2012
  • #5
Ok replaced Solenoid, Reconnected battery and started not trying to start on it own. I go to crank the car and no go? Starter goes BRRRRRR??? Think starter is Fried?
 

stykthyn

I want to measure mine. It doesn't look that tall.
15 Year Member
Jul 6, 2006
5,232
2,652
223
gainesville
May 20, 2012
#6
  • May 20, 2012
  • #6
Check connections to starter. A lot of times a short from a loose wire is what causes this to begin with.
 

Taino

Member
Nov 29, 1999
146
9
19
May 20, 2012
#7
  • May 20, 2012
  • #7
Solenoid replaced,starter replaced. All wire checked no damage. Started up right away,seems problem solved.
 

pissedoff92

Member
Aug 14, 2011
288
7
18
western new york
May 21, 2012
#8
  • May 21, 2012
  • #8
glad it was the starter/solonoid. my first guess was gonna be its christine.
 

Taino

Member
Nov 29, 1999
146
9
19
May 21, 2012
#9
  • May 21, 2012
  • #9
This just gets weirder and weirder.... So I replaced the Starter and the solenoid. Today I go to work and notice the Vibration on my gear shifter has improved???? Enough so I noticed it ?????? still there but not as bad ???? I'm just confused on how this could happen ?
 
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