ignition/starter question

[enferno]

i've just recently rebuilt my engine/tranny/all my wiring, and everything works perfectly.

however, i am curious to know if this is normal operation or not: when i turn my key to 'ignition', the starter engages, the engine starts, but the starter keeps spinning until i turn the key to 'on'. should the starter disengage once the engine starts automatically, could this be a result of lousy wiring on my part, or is it just 40 year old technology? i haven't driven any mustang but mine before, so i have nothing to judge it this is abnormal or not.


thanks!

 

[dennis112]

i've just recently rebuilt my engine/tranny/all my wiring, and everything works perfectly.

however, i am curious to know if this is normal operation or not: when i turn my key to 'ignition', the starter engages, the engine starts, but the starter keeps spinning until i turn the key to 'on'. should the starter disengage once the engine starts automatically, could this be a result of lousy wiring on my part, or is it just 40 year old technology? i haven't driven any mustang but mine before, so i have nothing to judge it this is abnormal or not.


thanks!

Are you using the original type 1 wire starter or a modern mini-starter?

If you are using an original starter, the switch could be bad or even the selonoid.

If you are using a modern starter, it needs to be wired differently than the original. We had a post on rewiring on not to long ago.

 

[enferno]

it's the original 1 wire starter, and it's a brand new solenoid.

 

[krash kendall]

Yes that is the way it is supposed to operate. When you release the key after it starts the key should spring back to the ON position.

 

[enferno]

Yes that is the way it is supposed to operate. When you release the key after it starts the key should spring back to the ON position.

that's not my question. my question is, when the key is still in the 'ignition' position, should the starter still be engaging even though the engine has started, or does it automatically disengage?

 

[krash kendall]

Yes, because when you hold the key there you are energizing the solenoid.

Its the same as when you try to start a car that is already running. The starter tries to reengage.

And the positions you are speaking of are START and ON.

 

[dennis112]

Krash has it right. As long as the key is in the start position, the starter will try to turn.