Starter keeps cranking after starting

[4R-Driver]

My starter sounds like it keeps spinning after starting like I’m holding the ignition switch in the on position after it starts.

Lately like it’s been spinning after cranking the engine longer than usual. Then today it just kept going.

Could this be the plunger sticking in the starter solenoid? Bad battery or connection?

I swapped the fog and starter relays and same thing.

Temps have dropped into single digits this week so I’m wondering if that’s making it worse.

It also happened after disconnecting the battery while trying to figure out the rear window button failing. (Thanks t4r.org for helping me chase this gremlin down!)

2003 v6 sport 4x4 275k

 

[AuSeeker]

It could be the solenoid sticking or the teeth either on the starter or flywheel hanging up if they are worn or chewed up, my best guess would be the solenoid, the teeth being worn usually causes the starter to just spin and not engaging the flywheel.

 

[Hungryhawk]

Any corrosion on the starter? Not an uncommon problem with inboard boat engines. The starter shaft can get gunked up with rust and prevent the starter shaft gear from dis-engaging.

 

[4R-Driver]

I’m going to try and pull it today. Then inspect it and start cleaning it up. It doesn’t look particularly pretty but not as bad as some of the starters I’ve seen in videos and pictures.

I’ll check for rust and corrosion. I’ve lived by the beach for a decade and now in east Idaho with some deep snow so this truck has been in some pretty nasty environments!

Plunger and connects come in Tues or Wed. So hoping to drop those in asap. I just wanted eliminate other potential causes before diving in.

 

[4R-Driver]

Got the starter out. Contacts and plunger seemed fine other than a little dust. There were some metal shavings and couldn’t tell if they were from the contacts or not. The plunger seemed a little sticky so hoping that was my problem. I lubed the gear shaft which seemed to help. Got it back in and it started fine. We’ll see if it stays that way!

 

[AuSeeker]

I’m going to try and pull it today. Then inspect it and start cleaning it up. It doesn’t look particularly pretty but not as bad as some of the starters I’ve seen in videos and pictures.

I’ll check for rust and corrosion. I’ve lived by the beach for a decade and now in east Idaho with some deep snow so this truck has been in some pretty nasty environments!

Plunger and connects come in Tues or Wed. So hoping to drop those in asap. I just wanted eliminate other potential causes before diving in.

If the issue persists, thinking on this issue some more and since these engines keep cranking by them shelves until the engine is running so whatever component that tells the starting circuit that the engine is running could have gone bad which would allow the starter to keep cranking.

 

[4R-Driver]

Didn’t work after all. Starter won’t disengage after the engine fires.

My next step is to order a whole new starter. Could there be an electrical issue at the battery causing this?

I’d get it tested but don’t have the vehicle to get me to the shop.

 

[4R-Driver]

If the issue persists, thinking on this issue some more and since these engines keep cranking by them shelves until the engine is running so whatever component that tells the starting circuit that the engine is running could have gone bad which would allow the starter to keep cranking.

That’s what I’m thinking because the starter functions fine otherwise. But it’s cranking like it isn’t starting. And it fired 2 times right after reinstalling it.

Could it be an ignition relay?

 

[AuSeeker]

That’s what I’m thinking because the starter functions fine otherwise. But it’s cranking like it isn’t starting. And it fired 2 times right after reinstalling it.

Could it be an ignition relay?

Don't know what it could be, but whatever components are involved in stopping the "auto cranking" once the engine fires up would be my goal to find the issue.

I'm guessing it could possibly be the ignition switch or some kind of relay and or sensor.

I tried internet searching for causes of this issue and others who had this issue were replacing starters and or "rebuilding" them....but no one ever followed up if that fixed their issues, if I find anything I'll post it.

There's a problem with many people coming to this forum and other forums seeking help but never follow up to say if they solved their issues or not so it help others in the future when they have the same issues and looking for solutions!!

 

[4R-Driver]

Don't know what it could be, but whatever components are involved in stopping the "auto cranking" once the engine fires up would be my goal to find the issue.

I'm guessing it could possibly be the ignition switch or some kind of relay and or sensor.

I tried internet searching for causes of this issue and others who had this issue were replacing starters and or "rebuilding" them....but no one ever followed up if that fixed their issues, if I find anything I'll post it.

There's a problem with many people coming to this forum and other forums seeking help but never follow up to say if they solved their issues or not so it help others in the future when they have the same issues and looking for solutions!!

Thanks!

I’ll start looking into it as much as I can.

I was thinking it could be the starter relay but when I swapped it with the fog relay it did the same thing. I’m wondering if there’s a sticky switch in the ignition.

And like you I definitely appreciate the “solved” posts and the follow up.

 

[4R-Driver]

So this is strange.. if I press the throttle while starting it will disengage the starter and run fine.

 

[AuSeeker]

So this is strange.. if I press the throttle while starting it will disengage the starter and run fine.

Hmmm, I know on old school starters the solenoid throws the gear on the starter out to engage the teeth on the flywheel, when the engine starts the higher RPMs of the engine spins the starter gear back into the starter thus disengaging the starter, I'm assuming these starters work in the same fashion, if so then it's possible that the starter's gear is hanging up on the shaft and it takes more RPMs from the engine to spin it back into the starter.

 

[4R-Driver]

I went a different direction and going to replace the spark plugs. I pulled one and they look scorched and gap at .064

I’ve noticed low idle and a bit of stumbling at stop lights lately.

I’m thinking low idle might not let the ecu know to disengage the starter - does this make sense ?

 

[AuSeeker]

I went a different direction and going to replace the spark plugs. I pulled one and they look scorched and gap at .064

I’ve noticed low idle and a bit of stumbling at stop lights lately.

I’m thinking low idle might not let the ecu know to disengage the starter - does this make sense ?

I don't think so but possible, I still think it maybe what I described in my last post, if it is a new starter should be the fix.

 

[runner9999]

My starter sounds like it keeps spinning after starting like I’m holding the ignition switch in the on position after it starts.

Lately like it’s been spinning after cranking the engine longer than usual. Then today it just kept going.

Could this be the plunger sticking in the starter solenoid? Bad battery or connection?

I swapped the fog and starter relays and same thing.

Temps have dropped into single digits this week so I’m wondering if that’s making it worse.

It also happened after disconnecting the battery while trying to figure out the rear window button failing. (Thanks t4r.org for helping me chase this gremlin down!)

2003 v6 sport 4x4 275k

Were you able to fix the problem?

 

[runner9999]

I went a different direction and going to replace the spark plugs. I pulled one and they look scorched and gap at .064

I’ve noticed low idle and a bit of stumbling at stop lights lately.

I’m thinking low idle might not let the ecu know to disengage the starter - does this make sense ?

Did the spark plug replacement fix the issue?

 

[4R-Driver]

Just got the plugs in. It’s running better and idling higher but I still have to blip the throttle to get the starter to disengage.

 

[4R-Driver]

Update:

Better fuel and new plugs and it starts like it should!

I’m thinking it just took the ecu reset a long time to learn with old plugs and it being around 5-10F outside. It’s definitely idling higher at start up which probably makes the starter disengage.