5me '81 supra, starter keeps running after the key returns to the ON position...

[an_unusual_eye]

car starts fine, but occasionally the starter continues to run after the car has started. i presume that if you just left the key in the on position, this would continue until the starter cooked in its own juices, but i'm not inclined to test the theory. if you turn the key off, the engine shuts off, and the starter stops as well after one or two additional audible turns. this is a foreign symptom to me... starter? ignition switch? magic potion or incantation? thanks ~ rob.

[lechner]

A sticking contact in either the ignition switch or the starter. Seems like if it was in the starter, it would continue to stick on even after you turned the ignition switch off since the starter has continuous primary power. So I'm betting ignition switch since it sounds like the start circuit continues to get energized after the key has returned to run, and the starter quits turning as soon as the switching signal disappears.

[spud3861]

Yes take a look at the contacts in the ignition switch.

[an_unusual_eye]

thanks to you both... probably wednesday before i get a chance to tear into it... but i'll start topside rather than underneath, and hope for the best.

[CarlH]

thanks to you both... probably wednesday before i get a chance to tear into it... but i'll start topside rather than underneath, and hope for the best.

If the solenoid sticks it can do that as it does not return and un engage . I would fix it quickly as you can do a lot of damage to the starter as well as the wires and Battery cables. REMEMBER: if it stays engaged .. The Battery cables can get red hot and you don't want to touch them as you will burn your hands big time.

[an_unusual_eye]

a good thought... i've become accustomed to considering them as internal to the starter. i'm seeing parts listings for the solenoid and the solenoid switch separately... is one more likely faulty than the other in this case? they're fairly expensive ~ roughly $75 each. bonus: is the solenoid mounted piggyback on the starter..? thanks for the idea, and your time... ~ rob.

[CarlH]

The bendix (over run clutch) could also be sticking, you might need a new one and grease. I would have the starter rebuilt by a real good and experienced local shop who uses high quality parts and knows his biz on rebuilding electrical parts.

a good thought... i've become accustomed to considering them as internal to the starter. i'm seeing parts listings for the solenoid and the solenoid switch separately... is one more likely faulty than the other in this case? they're fairly expensive ~ roughly $75 each. bonus: is the solenoid mounted piggyback on the starter..? thanks for the idea, and your time... ~ rob.

[an_unusual_eye]

~ finally got tired of not getting around to this myself... and dropped the car off at the shop this morning. i'll update when the issue is diagnosed and resolved in case in might benefit someone else here. thanks for the suggestions. ~ rob.

[Wilson2supras]

Two in one week.....mine the morning we left hotel from Damon's meet.....turn the key nothing......turn key off wait a few seconds..rub dash..tell her (the car) "I love her don't do this to me now"....turn key again and it starts.... Only does this every so often. All week been sitting in car waiting for it to happen again with video on phone to show mechanic at Toyota....finally last night it did it! Mechanic at Toyota said had a dead spot on starter/seloniod....ordered today. Of course one thing leads to another..clutch master cylinder leaking....ordered. Since at Toyota....might as well find and fix oil leak that I've been putting off! Was like another "Damon's" meet when at Toyota to drop off....2 hours later of customers, employees, mechanics and every other shit head finger f#%king my car and asking questions about it....kinda was cool. Anyway...I feel your pain Rob! Hope all is well, my wife said to say hello to both of you also..have to get together again! Good luck!

[an_unusual_eye]

thanks shannon... misery loves company ;~}. this is a problem i was having with the other mark I that was originally intended to be a parts car for the one that we had at damon's. i've been using the "parts car" as an almost daily driver trying to decide once and for all if she should be a donor, or a gradual restoration project for tabby to have when she's done. every time a few quirks start to add up i feel a part-out coming on. then the quirks resolve at little (or sometimes no) cost, and she moves one step further toward a second wind.

UPDATE... the shop cleaned and lubed the ignition switch... no recurrence of the starter run-on since. less than $100.

the "parts car" now runs and drives just as well as the other car. i'm starting to think i may be in the market for a... parts car.