Starter Motor Engages w/out ignition Switch On

[Jaegerboy]

Good Morning,

I had an issue last week where when I turned my Battery Switch on, the starter immediately engaged. I turned the battery switch off, checked that the ignition switch was "off", and turned "on" the battery switch. Again, the starter cranked the engine.

I then removed the lead going to the starter solenoid, turned the battery switch on and again the starter engaged.

The motor is an AQ260.

Bad solenoid?
Thanks in advance for anyones thoughts...

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter Motor Engages w/out ignition Switch On

Pull the starter and take it to a starter/alternator repair shop.
It may be the shaft is rusty, if so, you might want to check the ujoint bellows for water. If water has gone throught the primary shaft bearings into the flywheel area, the water will cause the shaft to rust and cause your problem.

 

[Jaegerboy]

Re: Starter Motor Engages w/out ignition Switch On

Thanks as always, Don. I have replaced the shaft bearings late last year, and I know that there was an issue with water getting into the flywheel area in the past. My question is, how will that rusty shaft cause this issue? Very curious...

 

[Don S]

Re: Starter Motor Engages w/out ignition Switch On

The bendix can hang up with the starter engaged, which keeps the solenoid activated.

 

[Jaegerboy]

Re: Starter Motor Engages w/out ignition Switch On

Got it.
Many thanks, Don.