genec728

I'm having a problem with the starter on my 66 Mustang convertible. Sometimes when I try to start my car, especially after it has been several weeks of not driving it, the starter will hang up when I engage it and keeps on spinning even when the key is turned off. The only way to stop it is to remove the battery cable. Someone told me when this first happened a while back that it was a bad solenoid switch. I installed a new solenoid switch and less than a year later it is doing the same thing again. Is it a solenoid switch problem or something else???

bop11

Removing the battery cable with the engine running is a sure way to blow the alternator diodes. It sounds as if the bendix kick in coil on the starter is shorted or the starter brushes are worn to the point where the starter is drawing excess current. This causes the contacts in the solenoid to heat up and transfer metal in the form of a big spike and pit. After a while the spike gets to the point where it sticks in the pit and the solenoid won't release. Now you probably need to replace the starter and replace the solenoid again.

genec728

Thanks for the info. I've never removed the battery cable while the car is running. The starter always hangs up and keeps spinning before the engine can start up and I immediately remove the cable before the engine starts. Based on what you say I feel sure it is my starter that's the problem because my starter is very old and I've never felt like it needed to be replaced. I will definitely replace the starter and the solenoid. Thanks a million for your help!!!!