Started Motor Kept Spinning Even After Taling Key Out

[Lordbenny]

Tried to start my Westfield today, turned over the engine then the starter motor just kept spinning! I turned off he ignition and took the key out and it was STILL spinning, had to disconnect the battery to stop it. Took all the wires off the starter, checked and cleaned them up (they were a bit oily) then it was fine, it actually turns over better then ever!. What caused it and should I do anything now?

[Quinten]

Backfeed from alternator into ignition circuit?

Have you changed any wiring recently? I've just done mine, and when I first started it, the same happened... a simple current blocking diode on the alternator feed resolved it for me.

[Quinten]

Oh hang on, the starter?! Uhm... could your ignition switch be broken?

[Lordbenny]

It's working ok now...could it have been a dodgy earth?

[Quinten]

I'm no expert, so please take my ramblings as such, but it is the current from the ignition that keeps the starter turning over. If you had a dodgy earth, no current would be able to flow, and as such it would not continue turning over?

[Happy Jim]

It's the starter solenoid on the way out. If you've left it unused over winter then it's probably just sticky and chances are it'll be fine, if not then you'll be looking at a new starter motor (unless you're really lucky and have a seperate solenoid).

Jim

[Spangles]

Happy Jim said:

It's the starter solenoid on the way out. If you've left it unused over winter then it's probably just sticky and chances are it'll be fine, if not then you'll be looking at a new starter motor (unless you're really lucky and have a seperate solenoid).

Jim

What he said.