ignition issue???

[kimode]

Ok here goes. we replaced the ignition agitator 2 weeks ago. than last week the truck (f150 lariat, 5.0 8cyl rebuilt engine w/30k miles on it) we had the battery checked, it was fine we changed the battery cables, still wouldnt start, changed the starter relay, still didnt work, replaced the starter, and it cranked over and started without a problem. THAN we turn the ignition off and took the key out and the engine was stuck in the cranking over mode. we had to disconnect the battery to get it to stop. we have talked to a few different garages and got many different answers. 1)bad gas. when we replaced the ignition agitator we filled it up and put premium in it by accident we usually put reg unleaded. 2)alternator backfeeding into the ignition...meaning new alternator. 3)timing is off 4)something wrong with wiring harness
does anyone have any idea whatsoever what is wrong with this? i dont want to spend all that money on an alternator and that not be the problem. HELP

[unclebubbles]

To start with, dont go back to the place that told you it was bad gas, or the one that told you the alt was backfeeding into the ignition. Bad gas could possibly make it keep running after you turned off the key, which is called dieseling, but it wont make the starter stay engaged. The alt wouldnt "backfeed" or damage the ignition, or keep the starter engaged either. You may have gotten a bad starter relay that is stuck, causing the starter to stay engaged. It could also be the ignition switch. Pull the small wire off the front of the relay, and put the battery cable back on. If the starter turns now, the relay is stuck. If it doesnt turn , touch the small wire to the terminal on the relay. If the starter turns now, with the key off, the problem is probably the ignition switch, or the actuator for it is broken, causing it to jam. It could possibly be a wiring harness problem as someone told you, but it doesnt sound like it. Try these things and post back and let us know. Good luck.
Later
Ed

[bacchus_gc]

i have the same problem .... when i turn the key i heard the solenoid cliking each time that i do it .... i replaced 3 starters and brokes down after the first starts ... any ideas___??

[RahX]

bacchus_gc: If you have a molded battery cable you may have a nice voltage drop going on. If you have a voltmeter, test from the battery POST to the WIRE bypassing the terminal and have someone start/try to start the truck. However much voltage it reads is how much voltage it takes to get past the terminal. Subtract that from 12 and that is how much voltage your starter is getting.

kimode: you probably have a bad ignition switch or starter relay. I agree with unclebubbles.

[bacchus_gc]

Originally Posted by RahX

bacchus_gc: If you have a molded battery cable you may have a nice voltage drop going on. If you have a voltmeter, test from the battery POST to the WIRE bypassing the terminal and have someone start/try to start the truck. However much voltage it reads is how much voltage it takes to get past the terminal. Subtract that from 12 and that is how much voltage your starter is getting.

kimode: you probably have a bad ignition switch or starter relay. I agree with unclebubbles.

thanx for answare .......
with a test ligth i check tha small wire that goes to the starter .... when you turn the key all the way i have 12v on that one .... my problem i guess is the bendix... the bendix doesnt come back and when the truck starts keeps moving the bendix .... the flywheel brakes something inside the starter... i mean ,,, bendix doesnt retract and keeps engaged with the flywheel but with out energy... i mean ...spins cause flywheel is spining not because starter keeps working ......... why bendix keeps engaged with the flywheel?? .. i replaced the starter relay .. i heard click from the relay only when i turn the key ...
thanx

[Davescort97]

I would pull the starter and check out the bendix. Centrifugal force from the flywheel should make the bendix retract. It's a mechanical problem, not an electrical one. I wouldn't try to fix that. Just put on another starter. If the bendix is bad the rest of it is probably on the way out, too.

[dfordski]

Originally Posted by Davescort97

I would pull the starter and check out the bendix. Centrifugal force from the flywheel should make the Bendix retract. It's a mechanical problem, not an electrical one. I wouldn't try to fix that. Just put on another starter. If the Bendix is bad the rest of it is probably on the way out, too.

Yea, a bad Bendix return spring, or starter not mounted perfectly flush, or starter solenoid has fused closed. Removing the small Ign. wire durring this occurance will separate weather the problem is upstream or downstream from the selinoid! Also, WHAT THE H*LL IS A IGNITION AGITATOR???? Am I the only one that's curious? I don't have one, or have any idea what it is! Maybe I need one & just don't know it! Now I'm worried! Anyway, if the spring's bad, the drive gear will flop around inside the cone when the starter is removed.

[dfordski]

I think I'm starting to decipher your description as to the problem and it's leading me in another direction. I'm tempted to share my thoughts w/ you, but not til you adequately explain your "Ignition Agitator"!

[dfordski]

Originally Posted by bacchus_gc

i have the same problem .... when i turn the key i heard the solenoid cliking each time that i do it .... i replaced 3 starters and brokes down after the first starts ... any ideas___??

You have a poor quality connection . Either on the hot side or ground path. A poor connection path also includes a dead cell in the battery(have it load tested) You can temporarily jump the selinoid to eliminate it. If you use a wire, it will sacrifice the end of the wire, if you use battery jumper cables, you will sacrifice a chunk of the selinoid connector bolt. The connection should only be momentary.