1988 Cougar LS - MYSTERY PROBLEM

When its cold outside and I try to turn it over, it just clicks. Sounds kinda like the starter is stuck or something but I know very little about cars so I have no idea. If I hold the ignition and let it continue to click for maybe 10 sec it will finally start. Now, sometimes it starts but the RPM's are way too high so I turn the key back and take the key completley outta the ignition, and yet the car continue's to try and turn over. At this point I disconnect the positive battery cable, which kills the car. Then I reconnect the cable and try to start again. The last time I had to take off the cable, as soon as I reconnected it the car went right back to trying to turn over (no key in ignition). I have replaced the battery, starter, alternator, and the starter sylenoid (twice).


I've taken my cougar to two different mechanics and neither one of them can tell me what the problem is with my car. Please, anyone with and thoughts on this problem, please let me know. Thanks

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it could be the ignition is constantly on,,in cold weather even though you've turn the key back towards you the ignition is still getting power,,sometimes having to many keys on your ring,,age,,try a small small amount of oil in the ignition where the key goes and work it back and forth,other than that replace it, not to costly...