Starter Sticking AND Starts in Run Position

[thumpin455]

1995 Aurora: In the past my starter had about a 2 second delay of silence before it would engage but the engine would always crank over and start up just fine.

Now as soon as the engine is cranked and running, the starter continues to stay engaged to the flywheel for about 8 seconds making a loud screeching noise while the engine is running. After about 8 seconds the starter disengages and the engine sounds and runs as normal. This happens everytime the car is started.

In addition to the sticking starter, now everytime as soon as I turn the key to the "on" position the engine immediately cranks and runs. I'm not even turning the key anywhere near the "start" position.

So what do I have, a bad ignition switch or a bad starter?

Thanks, Paul

[bobsblue95]

Could be either. One way to tell is to find the starter solenoid wire (passenger side, coming out from under the intake behind the p.s. pump and leading back toward the firewall.) Unplug it and turn your key on... if the starter engages, it's definitely bad. If not, test the wire (firewall side) for voltage. It should only have voltage with key in Start, not Run. If that's ok then it's probably still the starter.

[thumpin455]

Thanks Bob. I'll do those checks sometime this weekend and post back what I find. I knew I should have waited for a response on this board before I tore into it. Before starting this thread, I replaced the "starter enable relay" under the dash and that did not fix it.
Thanks again

[tipsymcstager]

not to step on anybodys toe's but a visual is always nice.
and i just happen to have these ;D

this is the harness bob speak's of, realy not hard to pull the starter it's self took me about 15 min's to get to this one






that blue wire go's to the knock sensor

[thumpin455]

Those pics are great. Helps me see all the fun I'm going to have if the starter needs changing.

[thumpin455]

Disconnected purple starter solenoid wire at firewall, turned key and no nothing. (still could be bad starter or solenoid at this point). But then I measured voltage at the solenoid wire connector (from ignition switch) and am getting 12v as soon as I turn the key to the "on" position which I don't think is right. I must have a bad ignition switch. I get 12v with the key in the "start" position which is normal but I should not get constant juice to the solenoid as soon as key turned to the "on" position. At least I wouldn't think so???

[bobsblue95]

That's correct, you shouldn't. You said you replaced the starter enable relay already, so it's either the ignition switch or shorted wiring.

[thumpin455]

Replaced the ignition switch yesterday and that was definitely the problem. Took the old switch appart and there was major stress on a couple of the contact terminals. Did the mastercylinder today. I'm really sore all over now but I feel very acomplished. Now if I can just get around to that ISC motor when I recover.

Thanks for all the help guys.