ignition switch engages starter after engine is running???

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by davecobra

As far a checking with the lights I did that and it is getting power to the soleniod sometimes just turning the switch on, it would appear to be a bad switch...

That at least tells you that it is not a solenoid or starter issue -- it's either a switch, wiring, or short issue. Have you tried the "jiggle test?" Turn you ignition key on, but don't crank the engine, and then "jiggle" the key to see if you can make the engine crank without actually turning the key to the cranking position. Then reach behind the dash to the wires leading to the switch and jiggle them and see if you can get your engine to crank by doing that.

[acmjg]

What is the brand of ignition switch? Is it one of the off the shelf, cheapo auto parts store ones? I had 2 brand new ones do the same thing to me and wound up breaking a tooth off the flywheel. I picked up a different brand one (I think a Standard) and it is much better.

Anthony

[Blas]

FYI:
If you have a high torque starter, it comes equiped with a starter solenoid. That would make the firewall mounted unit redundant...

Your firewall mounted solenoid should have on one side (a big cable) a line going back to the battery and on the other side (a big cable) a line going down to your starter. Your MSD unit should (or could) feed from the battery side of this starter solenoid, along with any other full-time big power users. (driving lights, etc) MSD can always stay hot, very small current draw when off...If you send me an email with your email address, I'll send you some schematics of a different starter hookups. I seem to remember this problem before, a backfeed of power, but I don't remember from where...hmmmmm...I'll have a think....UPDATE: Info sent.

[davecobra]

Well I tried the jiggle test , if I jiggle the key it will cause the starter to engage, if I jiggle the wires nothing happens, everything is tight, it points to the switch, I guess it could be cheap switch 29.00 napa switch, x two. I am almost ready to put a seperate pushbutton switch before it tears something up. this is not my first car to build, I have several under my belt, everything from a sterling kit car to a blown and stroked 34 ply hemi coupe, my current driver. I understand how wiring works and this may be just a bad switch twice in a row, but sure seems strange. I do not have a gear reduction starter, just stock.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by davecobra

Well I tried the jiggle test , if I jiggle the key it will cause the starter to engage...

That's a bad switch. I can't envision how it could be anything else. BUT, if you want to be absolutely sure, remove the solenoid wire from the back of the ignition switch and put a 12v test light on that ignition switch pole instead. Then repeat your jiggle test. If you can get the light to come on by jiggling the key then you absolutely, positively have a bad switch and you've eliminated the possibility of some cosmic back feed through the solenoid wire (which I can't think of how that could happen anyway).

[Excaliber]

I recently had a big thread about screwing around with my starter and damaging teeth on the flywheel.

I'll tell you what, the next time I even get a hunch I got starter problems I'm gonna STOP right there and get a handle on it. PITA changing out a ring gear.

...the new one works beautifully by the way.

[davecobra]

Okay just ordered a new Ron Francis ign switch, will post what happens.
David