96 starter won't disengage

[Railroader]

My starter won't disengage even with the ignition switch turned off. I had to disconnect the battery before it would stop running. Could this mean my ignition switch is bad, I ever disconnected the switch that the clutch pedal engages when pressed down, (it is a manual tranmission, so one has to push the clutch pedel down before the starter will work) Any thoughts anyone. Thanks

[Flash75]

It could be the switch but I doubt it's the problem. A quick test is to turn the ignition on but do not try to start the truck. If the ignition switch is bad the starter should start turning before turning the switch to the start position. The start circuit goes through the clutch switch which closes when the clutch pedal is pushed in, it also goes through a start relay. It could be the clutch switch, start relay or the ECU. You need a wiring diagram and a test meter to determine the location of the problem. A quick check is to remove the start relay when the trouble occurrs. That will probably stop the starter. If it does you need to use a meter and find a terminal that shouldn't have 12 volts on but it has 12 volts. Find where the unnecessay voltage is coming from by tracing it to the source. The only other alternative is to start swapping out parts, it's usually the last part you try. Remember if you buy electrical parts they usually aren't returnable.

Clifton

[Railroader]

[quote=Flash75]It could be the switch but I doubt it's the problem. A quick test is to turn the ignition on but do not try to start the truck. If the ignition switch is bad the starter should start turning before turning the switch to the start position. The start circuit goes through the clutch switch which closes when the clutch pedal is pushed in, it also goes through a start relay. It could be the clutch switch, start relay or the ECU. You need a wiring diagram and a test meter to determine the location of the problem. A quick check is to remove the start relay when the trouble occurrs. That will probably stop the starter. If it does you need to use a meter and find a terminal that shouldn't have 12 volts on but it has 12 volts. Find where the unnecessay voltage is coming from by tracing it to the source. The only other alternative is to start swapping out parts, it's usually the last part you try. Remember if you buy electrical parts they usually aren't returnable.

Clifton[/QUOTE

The starter will engage with the ignition switch on or with the switch off, and I removed the starter relay, and it still run. I could have a short in the wiring I suppose, but it would seem that the ignition switch is stuck on the start position. Thanks for you reply.

[Flash75]

"The starter will engage with the ignition switch on or with the switch off, and I removed the starter relay, and it still run."

Does starter run before the switch is turned on?
It sounds like the problem may be in the starter solenoid or in the wiring between the start relay and the starter. Removing the relay removes all normal current paths to the starter so the starter should stop when the relay is removed if the problem is between the battery and the relay. Since I don't have a wiring diagram I'm doing some guessing on this.

Clifton

[Railroader]

Sounds like good advice, I am going to check wiring and solenoid in the morning, when I find the problem I will post it here, in case someone else has that problem. Thanks

[Railroader]

Had the starter tested at autozone, tested ok, must be a problem in the wiring, a defective solenoid would have been too easy.

[Flash75]

Here is some information that may help, go to this web site
http://www.autoshop101.com/
On the left click on technical articles, go to 07 for the Toyota starting system. On one of the pdf pages is the problem you have with possible causes. They include the ignition switch as a possible cause. I thought removing the start relay would clear the switch as a possible source. But maybe I have overlooked something. I did note they sais trouble shooting a starter the continues to run is easy, bet you don't agree woith that comment. I've looked at my 2004 shop manual but it may not be the same as your 96 truck. Good luck.

Clifton

[Railroader]

Well, after testing everthing I could, I determined that for some reason there was no current going to the starter, as that had to be the case before, so I connected everthing together again, and guess what, the starter worked the way it should, go figure, I still do not know what happened, but now I will always be wondering if it is going to do it again. Thanks to all that replied, it was greatly appreciated, especially flash75.