HELP!! Why won't my car stop running!?!?

Swede958 · Jun 3, 2004

Wow, of course if I try something before a trip, it finds a way to go wrong.
I just put in my canton 7qt pan (awesome pan btw), and thought I'd throw in a late model starter as well. Got all that figured out, but when I was testing the spacing on the starter, I turned the key off and it kept running! Everynow and then when I turn the key to the off position it will stop. Does this sound like the ignition lock to anyone. What could be causing this problem? Could it be the switch on the inside of the column? It is a '70 with the keys in the column and no tilt.

I leave for my trip on sat and would appreciate any help y'all could give me!!
Thanks,
The Swede

302 coupe · Jun 3, 2004

how did you do the wiring to the late model starter?

If I rememeber correctly, I ran positive cable to the starter, and a wire from the 'S' post on the fender mounted solenoid to the solenoid on the starter. My starter is a PMGR style unit for a 93 5.0 mustang.

monk302 · Jun 3, 2004

I too have run a late model starter on my car. Sounds to me as if you have a wire crossed somewhere along the solenoid. When I initially installed mine I put the wires on in the wrong place and the starter wouldn't disengage. Fordmuscle had a great explanation on their website of how it should be wired up.

Swede958 · Jun 3, 2004

I fixed it!!! YYAAAAAAAAYY!!
Ok, I'm calm now

Well, to answer y'all's questions first. The starter was wired with a 4ga wire (stuff I had lying around) to a terminal on the battery for the constant. The solonoid on the starter is tripped by a 10ga wire from the switched side of the solonoid.

As for the problem- hint for everyone on stangnet!!! Occasionally lube your ignition lock with some graphite!!

A really smart guy at work was like "Yeah dude, my mom's car was the same way. One of the tumblers just gets stuck and won't rotate back down with the key. Get some graphite and see what it does."
And it worked!!!
Thanks for the replies and the help guys.

Oh, out of curiosity- did y'all have to get used to the new sound of the gear-reduction starter? it sounds so much different than the old direct drive.

THe Swede

monk302 · Jun 3, 2004

Swede958 said:
Oh, out of curiosity- did y'all have to get used to the new sound of the gear-reduction starter? it sounds so much different than the old direct drive.

THe Swede

I absolutely love the sound of my late model starter on my classic. I feel now as if the old one was really loud and similar to grinding even though it was only about 3 years old. I really think a newer model starter should be a must when restoring our cars. They weigh alot less, take up less space, and are SO much easier to put in when you have headers.

302 coupe · Jun 3, 2004

agreed, even though they do cost 3x as much.

monk302 · Jun 3, 2004

302 coupe said:
agreed, even though they do cost 3x as much.

Mine wasn't bad, I walked into the autoparts store and purchased one off the shelf for about $100 with a lifetime warranty. I would never have put it on if it cost much more than that.

302 coupe · Jun 3, 2004

yeah, but a original style one would've only been about $35-40. Its still wise to upgrade. I like mine for the sound alone, they do use less power and last longer too though.

blue66tang · Jun 3, 2004

Are the starters off of the 88-93 mustang 5.0's considered late model, and will they work with our 157 tooth flywheels. Sorry for hyjacking

Swede958 · Jun 4, 2004

Mine is working so far- I pulled mine up for a '94 stang... thought I believe 91-95 are all the same.

Question about the wiring though, should I be running the power for the solonoid switch on the new starter to the S terminal on the old solonoid? Or is the location of it on the switched side of the old solonoid ok?

Thanks,
The Swede

Not advertising- just informing people who are interested. I work at a certain Jesse James supported store... PN# DL3502S; LLT (auto tranny), $94.99 + $35 for the core. Oh yeah, discounts rock!!

monk302 · Jun 4, 2004

I got mine from a early 90's Mustang, and I would think that any one from a 5.0 would work. As for wiring it up, if memory serves correct, I wired my newer starter wire to the post farthest from the firewall. If you really need me to check let me know and I will this weekend.

HELP!! Why won't my car stop running!?!?

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