Starter stays engaged for a few seconds

Discussion in 'Street/strip 400/430/455' started by Skylard, Oct 10, 2019.

  1. Skylard

    Skylard Well-Known Member

    Starter stays engaged for a few seconds after it starts.

    It was working fine for years with this set up, no recent changes.

    I have a ford style relay on the fire wall.
    2 wires on the right terminal leading to the starter.
    Question is...relay or solenoid?

    Cheers!
     
  2. Schurkey

    Schurkey Silver Level contributor

    Starter stays engaged because the solenoid is holding the pinion against the flywheel, or starter stays engaged because the pinion can't release from the flywheel due to mechanical problems?

    Huge difference in diagnosis.

    Start by connecting an ammeter (250 amp capable) to the main cable going to starter +. Is there still current draw for those few seconds AFTER the key is released? The current draw should drop to "zero" when the key springs back from the "crank" position.

    There's a bunch of things this could be, starting with high friction in the starter solenoid-to-starter drive mechanism. Maybe the starter drive can't slide forward away from the flywheel.

    Maybe the fender solenoid is sticking

    Maybe the starter is getting back-fed with power. I had that problem when I changed to a permanent-magnet starter instead of the older field-coil starter.
     
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2019
    Donuts & Peelouts likes this.

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