Hanging starter?

[Holland]

So I'm having a very intermittent issue with my starter. On occasion what it will do is when I go to crank the vehicle (generally in the morning) it will crank, fire, run, and the starter will still be turning. The solenoid returns, as there is no flywheel grinding, but the starter will still be turning. I can kill the car, remove the key and it will still take a few seconds for it to stop. Mind you it only happens once first thing in the morning.

I'm thinking a dodgy ground or something of the nature, what are your thoughts?

[jlevie]

That is either a bad solenoid on the starter or a problem with the ignition switch. You can tell which by connecting a test light between the solenoid lead and ground. If the light turns off when you release the ignition switch from the start position the problem is in the starter/solenoid.

[TimKninja]

I had the same problem. Except the starter wouldn't stop turning, and the dash lights were staying on, even with the key out of the ignition.

I hit the solenoid a few times with a pry bar and a hammer. And the problem hasn't occurred since.

I read on some toyota Forum that the solenoid will short out and do that.

[george graves]

^Yep. Give it a good whack. Usually will fix it for a good while.

[Holland]

Lol, awesome. Thanks for the help guys!

[long tall eta]

mine has done this for the 3 years i've had her. only on real cold mornings the starter stays engaged but only for like 3 seconds then disengages and everything is ok.

[george graves]

I had an e21 that I did this to for about 1-2 years. It was all part of her charm. After that, the starter fixed it'self. Never had to do it again.