It's the concourse solenoid, I got two of them that powers the "I" terminal keeping it from shutting off.

The problem is the + bolt is touching sometime on the disk, the "I" terminal is attached to the disk by a flexible strap. Mine would send voltage to the "I" terminal 1 out of 5 tries.

Here is a photo of car sitting at rest showing voltage at "I" terminal

 

Grabber...

Are you said the short is internal or external?

 

Well it's inside, it's not a short (usually means to ground), it's continuity from the positive side of the solenoid to the contact disk.

The studs on the inside have a square heads on each end of the solenoid, when energized the contact disk connects the 2 studs together sending high current to the starter.

The problem with these "concourse" solenoids is there isn't sufficient clearance between the stud and the disk. You can "play" around with the jam nut to get the stud not to contact the disk. It may work but it's hit or miss.

The problem your having is because the "I" terminal has a strap connected to the disk, when energised the disk has 12v going across it and through the strap sends 12v to the "I" terminal The disk shouldn't contact the studs at rest and if it does you end up with your problem. Or worst touching both studs causing the starter to stay engaged.

Here is a cutaway, this one the I and S are switched from what we have, also it is energised by ground, ours uses 12v but you'll get the general idea

Larry

 

you think the one I picked up at Oriliey's is a better option? I still have it. the concours one is on there now and has been good for a week and a half now. I have been checking it every night. you think this caused the car to not shut off the one time? I turned and pulled the key all the way out and it did nothing. Most research on this online is about 60% ignition, 40% solenoid related ( just to the non shut off issue)

I have an ignition switch on the way, so i will keep an update when installed. I figure it cant hurt either way even thought the car seems to be running right now.

just to go back to the very very start of all this. the new fully powered wally world battery had sparks flying, and the old half dead did not ( well a tiny blue spark) you think the extra power drawn out made the contact disk interfere? just a thought.. FYI the new battery has zero spark when touched to terminal NOW. not even small blue zap like the half dead one did.

 

I wouldn't trust those concourse solenoids, it's liable to start cranking out of the blue and burn down

I hate to be the subject of one of those Farmer's Ins hall of claims

 

has anyone heard of a car not shutting off from solenoid and or cables not making a good ground. like if the solenoid was just and tight on inside of engine bay? or same with connecting cables?