Advice pls: Starter motor does not disengage, intermittent

[MPoxon]

Evening gents,

Sorry my second question of the day, I have started the Griff about 20 times over the weekend 3 of those times I have needed to turn the car back off again as the starter motor has not disengaged. I am not sure that is the correct terminology but it is like the key is continuously turned to even while the engine is running and you get a horrible screeching sound until the car is turned off. Turn it over again and it is fine.

Has anyone else experienced this?

Matthew

[MrMCI]

To me it sounds like the ignition switch may be sticking/shorting. An easy way to tell would be to take the wire off the starter solenoid and measure the voltage when you turn and let go of the key. If you are getting a voltage with the switch in the normal position it is definitely sticking, hence the motor continuing to turn.

Mark

[EGB]

Sticky solenoid perhaps. Needs dismantling and cleaning. Clean starter electrical contacts at the same time.

[MPoxon]

Thanks for the advice gents I'll give those things a go.

[Barkychoc]

There seems to be a few problems like this coming out of the woodwork now - the vauxhall cavalier ignition switch used in the Griff / Chim had a fault as it becomes worn it deposits metal filings inside the switch and continues to make contact even when the key is removed in some cases.

I have seen a Cavalier years ago that wouldn't shut down - you could take the key out and the engine was still running. A new switch fixed it. Similarly it could be this that's causing the starter to continue running.

You could carefully take the switch apart and try cleaning out the metal particles.

A useful item here showing you how to get it apart.

http://www.chimaerapages.com/resources_ignitionaux...