this happened to me for the second time yesterday. i am hoping for any input. when i turn the ignition the starter stayed engaged. i turned the ignition off and pulled the key out and starter was still turning over motor. this lasted for about one full minute or more. nothing i could do would stop it. like i said i even took the key out. wouldnt go into any gears... weird

 

Im not sure about your truck but my 74 used to do this, wouldnt stop crankin till i unhooked the battery or unplugged one of the wires on my cylenoid. I replaced the cylenoid and it stopped doing that

 

it was freaky huh? i had just put a new solenoid on earlier that day. it hasnt happened since, and this is my daily driver. i guess if it keeps up ill try a new solenoid and then if that doesnt help, a kill switch.

 

Yeah it was freaky lol. I didnt know what to do

 

The "new" solenoids do it worse. I got a Motorcraft one from the dealer and it still did it, but not as bad. New think battery cables fixed it.

 

So how did the new solenoid work? Did it solve your problem?

Reason I ask is I'm currently working on an '84 that is having a similar issue.

 

Large battery cables.

 

i dont think it is my solenoid, i am now operating on the assumption that it is my starter switch. it hasnt happened since, but i am noticing that my starter wont return on the spring every time. i have to turn it back myself, thats why i am suspecting it is sticking in there somehow...

sean, how do you think thicker battery cables help? just curious.

 

Is it accurate that this is similar to the problem you are having?

I turn the key forward to start the truck, but it will not actually start until I turn the key slightly back. 8 out of 10 times, the starter starts whizzing like it is free spinning, even when the truck starts, so I have to turn it off in fear of burning it up. 2 out of 10 times it starts by simply turning the key forward for a second, then slightly back. It is more common for the starter to make the loud whizzing noise, so I have to back off it.

We were tossing around the idea that the starter isn't shimmed correctly? But unsure at this point.

 

It's what fixed mine.