starter won't stop turning after key is removed

[jacrouch]

i recently posted about how to get my car started after it ran out of gas. when i cranked to engine (way before it ever started), the starter turned the engine over, like it should. i kept it on for about 15-20 seconds, but when i turned it off, the starter continued turning, even after i took the key all the way out. it kept going for 5 or so seconds. when i finally got the engine started, it stopped doing that. should i be worried?

Originally Posted by jacrouch

i recently posted about how to get my car started after it ran out of gas. when i cranked to engine (way before it ever started), the starter turned the engine over, like it should. i kept it on for about 15-20 seconds, but when i turned it off, the starter continued turning, even after i took the key all the way out. it kept going for 5 or so seconds. when i finally got the engine started, it stopped doing that. should i be worried?

I don't think this is a good thing, but probably won't hurt anything except wear your starter out sooner.

It sounds like the solinoid is sticky and stays connected briefly after key off.

In warmer weather, or warm engine, I'd bet it doesn't do it. Unless there is something else someone else knows more about these starters, a different cause, and cure, I'd pull the starter and see what is holding, or hanging up, the solinoid from breaking contact? BB

[barry123400]

Probably best to change starter solenoid as it is sticking on apparently. Either sticking with heat or contacts are trying to weld themselves together I imagine. If not changed good chance of starter cranking until battery discharged totally one of the times you try to start car. Then you may get the chance to change the whole toasted starter assembly. Since there is no predicting where and when and if this may occur I would change the solenoid now. You were probably just lucky to get a warning the first time. Never had this problem on european starters but on domestic starters two times with destruction of the starter by overheating from the constant cranking.

[Tirebiter]

Originally Posted by barry123400

Probably best to change starter solenoid

Do you have a source on these solenoids?

And a damn big desoldering iron.

[barry123400]

Tirebiter makes a good point. You could phone a starter/alternator repair service and find out what they would charge to install the new solenoid you supply or get a price also if they were to supply and install one. I sometimes forget that a lot of site users may not have or the ability to borrow what is required for every job. Scrounging and D.I.Y. ( do it yourself) just have been a way of life for myself for so long now I just sometimes forget. Just an addition: think volkswagen solenoid available new for under forty dollars here in canada and cheaper in states. May cross refference to mercedes. Easy enough to check this at parts houses.

[tangofox007]

Originally Posted by BusyBenz

I don't think this is a good thing, but probably won't hurt anything except wear your starter out sooner.

Quite the contrary. When the starter remains engaged after the engine starts, the starter essentially becomes a generator. With nothing to regulate it, an overvoltage condition is likely to occur. All sorts of bad things can happen to electrical components.

[350SL4spd]

If it sticks again before repair, smack the SOB hard w/ hammer. Either under the car (hard on the knuckles) or from the top w/ a long steel bar. Should dis-engage the sucker.

NOT to be done repeatedly! But better than burning up the electrics or causing other damage!

[barry123400]

Was going to mention that the addition of a battery disconnect for about five dollars might give a slight amount of peace of mind until you get that thing repaired but suspect might take too long to get hood open and starter turned off before damage occured. Might be an auto wrecker near you with reasonable prices for a used starter and even willing to guarantee it somewhat. See them sold used on ebay once in a while for about 20-25 used as well. Plus shipping unfortunatly. Scrounge a little.