Starter runs with Ignition in off Position

[taxman82]

I have a 1988 Chevy 2 WD, 225000 miles with a 5.0 V8 that continues to crank with the ignition switch in the off or run position. Starter is about 2 years old and this started happening intermittently over the past 3 months. Now it happens almost everytime you hit the key. Any help would be appreciated this is for my old man whose in Iraq and I thought I would try to fix it for him before he got home.

Thanks
Taxman

[Blue Bowtie]

If there is no power on the purple wire at the starter (on the " terminal) and the starter still operates, there is a good chance that the disc contact washer in the starter solenoid is welded/fused to the contacts, or the solenoid plunger is hanging up. Either way, you'll have to get access to the starter to diagnose it.

[taxman82]

Thanks for the reply,

I will take a look when I get over to my parents house agian and post a reply.

Thanks again
Taxman

[mbumgua]

If there is power at the purple wire you probably have a bad ignition switch.

[jocat54]

Check the adjustment of the ignition switch on top of the steering column