Starter runs with ignition key removed

[lesab92]

1996 Camry 4 cyl with 70K original miles. Has had trouble starting lately. Would hear the infamous click or even no-click and then after a couple of tries, the starter would engage. I read posts here regarding the contacts and have been meaning to get them looked at. Last evening when I tried to start the car, the starter would not stop running, even engine off and key removed. If I turned off engine, removed key and then tried to start the engine, the engine would turn over and would start, but when the key was released and set to ON position, the starter kept running. We were only about 5 minutes from home so I hurried home and disconnected the battery. Awhile later I touched the neg cable to the battery post and the starter began to run again (with no key in ignition). I fear the starter is probably not any good at this point because I could smell the "electrical" kind of smell that usually means trouble. I never thought a starter could behave this way and if I had realized the risk, I would never have waited to get this corrected. If any other Camry owners are having starting issues, don't wait as possibly this same thing could happen to your Camry.

[Brian R.]

It may be that your starter relay is stuck. Test it as described in the "Starting" section of the FSM at this link:

http://www.camrystuff.com/index.php?page=Gen4_Manuals

More specifically, page ST-20 of:
http://www.camrystuff.com/manuals/Gen4/Starting.pdf

Replace the starter relay if it's bad and see if that solves your problem. If the relay tests good, replace the contacts.

[RIP]

If it turns out the solenoid contacts are bad here's one source:
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html