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Help, my car is starting on it's own

  • Thread starter Thread starter A66Auto
  • Start date Start date Jul 7, 2004
A

A66Auto

Founding Member
Apr 27, 2002
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Sacramento, CA
Jul 7, 2004
#1
  • Jul 7, 2004
  • #1
I went out to drive my car on Sunday but the battery was dead so I jumped it. The car would hardly turn over and when I stoped turning the key to start the car, it kept trying to start. I then turned the key to the off posistion and I could still hear the starter trying to start. can someone please help?
 
D

D.Hearne

New Member
Sep 29, 2000
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south louisiana
Jul 7, 2004
#2
  • Jul 7, 2004
  • #2
The starter solenoid stuck because of low voltage. Recharge the battery fully, then try it again
 
F

ForceFed70

That's why they call it "dope"
Founding Member
Dec 6, 1999
4,818
1
69
BC Canada
Jul 7, 2004
#3
  • Jul 7, 2004
  • #3
The solenoid would not have stuck because of low voltage, but my guess is also the solenoid. Could also be a problem with the ignition switch.

If the problem persists, a quick test with a voltmeter should tell you if it's the solenoid or not.
 
D

D.Hearne

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Sep 29, 2000
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south louisiana
Jul 7, 2004
#4
  • Jul 7, 2004
  • #4
On the contrary, I've had many solenoids stick when trying to crank a motor with a nearly dead battery.
 
A

A66Auto

Founding Member
Apr 27, 2002
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Sacramento, CA
Jul 7, 2004
#5
  • Jul 7, 2004
  • #5
How would I test the solenoid with the volt meter? I am going to put the battery on the charger tonight. Thank you.
 

WORTH

20+ Year Stangneter
Nov 18, 2002
2,166
44
98
Cape Cod, Ma.
Jul 7, 2004
#6
  • Jul 7, 2004
  • #6
A66Auto said:
How would I test the solenoid with the volt meter? I am going to put the battery on the charger tonight. Thank you.
Click to expand...

First off low voltage will make the solinoid arc out and stick.

To test the solinoid if you think it's stuck, charge the battery with the wire off the solinoid that goes to the starter.

remove the small wire that is marked S. when the battery is charged you shouldn't have any power on the starrter side of the solinoid, if you do, the solinoid is stuck. You may be able to jog it free by rapping on it, but you should probubly replace it any way.

if there is no power to the starter wire, reconnect the "S" wire if it doesn't click the solinoid then it is ok. If it does click the solinoid then the ignition switch is NG, but I dought that is the case. More than likely the solinoid stuck.
 
A

A66Auto

Founding Member
Apr 27, 2002
113
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0
Sacramento, CA
Jul 7, 2004
#7
  • Jul 7, 2004
  • #7
Cool, Thanks. I will try that.. but I cannot see a S printed on the wire or on the solenoid. What color wire is it? I have a 66
 

RGS0907

New Member
Aug 21, 2003
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New Jersey
Jul 8, 2004
#8
  • Jul 8, 2004
  • #8
Just replace it. It's very inexpensive and if you haven't changed it in a while, you're past due.
 
6

'69Mach1Chick

There's no grass left to cut.
Apr 1, 2002
348
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0
North Jersey
Jul 8, 2004
#9
  • Jul 8, 2004
  • #9
It is the solenoid sticking. I went through many of them. The piece inside just sticks. I don't rememeber what it looks like. But that is how my old car earned her name. "Christine"
 

GIDYUP

New Member
Feb 7, 2003
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melbourne, australia
Jul 8, 2004
#10
  • Jul 8, 2004
  • #10
I had this happen to me when i was just leaving an auto electrician's joint. I was reversing on a cold day and my car stalled, when i started it back up it kept on trying to crank over while it was already running. I turned the key to off and it kept on running and trying to crank over. The guys came out of the shop and disconnected the solenoid and put a new one on and it was solved, they just put it down to old age of the solenoid.
 

65fastback2+2

New Member
Aug 4, 2003
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Louisville, KY
Jul 8, 2004
#11
  • Jul 8, 2004
  • #11
call david hasselhoff and ask him for your watch back
 
B

Bonestock2k

Member
Jun 18, 2004
51
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6
Jul 9, 2004
#12
  • Jul 9, 2004
  • #12
Cool, Thanks. I will try that.. but I cannot see a S printed on the wire or on the solenoid. What color wire is it? I have a 66

On my 66 the S terminal on the solenoid is the left hand small terminal and has a blue and red wire on it.
 

latamud

Founding Member
Oct 22, 2002
791
2
19
Tampa, FL
Jul 9, 2004
#13
  • Jul 9, 2004
  • #13
In my experience, when a solenoid fails it either gets stuck off or on. I had a buddy with a beautiful 66 that when he started the carf the starter would stay engaged. He drove it like that and wondered what was wrong. One day it caught fire under the hood and under the dash. I met him after the fire. He only had it two weeks. I say replace it.
 
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