Starter always cranks now

Flatlander1961 · 07-28-2008, 10:04 AM

I changed my starter this weekend. During the re-install, the starter connections were reversed and the key was on. I had no electrical flow of any kind. We switched the connectors back to the right way, and as soon as I attach the battery posts, the starter fires, even with the key turned off. With the key on, the car will start and the starter keeps running. My parts guy said it is possible the ignition switch is causing this. He swapped the starter anyway, and I got the same results. Could this be the ignition? Has anyone replaced the ignition themselves? And what special tools do you need? Just how stupid was I? Any help would be great! My car is a 1983 240D ; 334,444 miles

ohlord · 07-29-2008, 01:40 AM

never work on the electrical systems with the battery connected or the key in the ignition.That horse is out of the barn now,so a solution needs to be found.Either the starter relay was fried or the ignition switch was toasted.
Cheaper by far to find a good auto electric shop with the wiring diagram to trace it to the fault.You could spend days replacing parts and spend a lot of money throwing parts at something that they can find in a half hour with a tracer.
ohlord

It's all part of the learning curve so don't kick yourself,we have all done similar

ohlord

Flatlander1961 · 07-29-2008, 10:23 AM

I was stupid. I was blind when I disconnected the starter and the one single connector became 2 and I hooked up the now split connection on both solenoid studs. Now that I have both on the top stud, it works great! Good news is, I can get the starter out and re-installed in 45 minutes if I need to.

ohlord · 07-29-2008, 01:56 PM

all you needed was a good auto electrician,YOU

And now you can see,so that is some kind of miracle

tanktube67 · 09-13-2008, 10:27 PM

number one rule, always disconnect the battery

07-28-2008, 10:04 AM	#1
Flatlander1961 Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 23	Starter always cranks now I changed my starter this weekend. During the re-install, the starter connections were reversed and the key was on. I had no electrical flow of any kind. We switched the connectors back to the right way, and as soon as I attach the battery posts, the starter fires, even with the key turned off. With the key on, the car will start and the starter keeps running. My parts guy said it is possible the ignition switch is causing this. He swapped the starter anyway, and I got the same results. Could this be the ignition? Has anyone replaced the ignition themselves? And what special tools do you need? Just how stupid was I? Any help would be great! My car is a 1983 240D ; 334,444 miles

07-29-2008, 01:40 AM	#2
ohlord MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: north of seattle Posts: 3,464	A never work on the electrical systems with the battery connected or the key in the ignition.That horse is out of the barn now,so a solution needs to be found.Either the starter relay was fried or the ignition switch was toasted. Cheaper by far to find a good auto electric shop with the wiring diagram to trace it to the fault.You could spend days replacing parts and spend a lot of money throwing parts at something that they can find in a half hour with a tracer. ohlord It's all part of the learning curve so don't kick yourself,we have all done similar ohlord

07-29-2008, 01:56 PM	#4
ohlord MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: north of seattle Posts: 3,464	See all you needed was a good auto electrician,YOU And now you can see,so that is some kind of miracle

09-13-2008, 10:27 PM	#5
tanktube67 MBWorld Fanatic! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: California Posts: 2,073	number one rule, always disconnect the battery __________________ 05 BMW 545i (sold) 04 G35 Coupe/lots of Mods (sold)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

07-29-2008, 10:23 AM	#3
Flatlander1961 Newbie Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 23	I was stupid. I was blind when I disconnected the starter and the one single connector became 2 and I hooked up the now split connection on both solenoid studs. Now that I have both on the top stud, it works great! Good news is, I can get the starter out and re-installed in 45 minutes if I need to.