Starter stuck in on position
 

This problem has occurred now twice in the past month: the starter seems to get stuck in the "on" position after pressing the floor button to start the engine.

The first time I was somehow able to wiggle it free, but last night I had to shut off the emergency switch on my fuse to stop the starter. Even then, the engine tried to start after turning the switch back on -- several times. Trying to manually pull up the floor button was not the right solution -- it did not budge.

Any suggestions about the cause and cure for this situation?

Many thanks in advance!

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

There is a copper strap inside the starter switch. That sometimes can lose its arch and continues to make contact to the starter. I have taken the switch apart, not hard to do, and bent the strap. Then upon assembly, be sure that nothing is grounding out, be sure the contact strap is not grounding to the switch.

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

Sometimes the strap hangs up on the cardboard insulation on either side of it inside the switch if the cardboard is warped. Pull the switch to check, it can be disassembled to replace. the cardboard or wet it & straighten & set to dry.

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

Take it apart. What's wrong will probably be evident. As 31 Tudor says, it's not a difficult job. Make sure all insulating materials are in place and not disintegrating.

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

The repro switches have a copper strap. Copper is not springy. Original starter switches had a brass alloy strap that was much more springy. It's more yellow in color than copper. Hunt for an original switch at swap meets. Even if the shell is rusted and a mess, all you want is that original strap. You can use that in a nice repro shell if you want it to look nice.

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

Take a look at this, it should explain the switch, and how to repair an original.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lDBNoU0ZvLQ&pp=QACIAgA%3D
The insulator in the repair kit will probably be the worn out component.
I made a replacement out of nylon.
Helped to have parts from several OEM switches to scrounge enough pieces to reassemble.

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

Nylon sheets used to be found inside 1 lb bacon wrappers years ago.

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

A nylon bolt from the local hardware.

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

Besides restoring the spring in the strap and cleaning the contacts, put a little electrical grease on the contacts. This will keep them from welding together.

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

The fiber wear point is problematic. Dielectric grease would attract road dust, or maybe not.
The failed switches I took apart usually had a worn out fiber insert.

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

Dielectric grease, many of them, are non conductive. If used as suggested, might make lots of smoke as the contacts try to complete the circuit by burning the grease away. :) Dielectric might work fine on a knife type switch or to seal out moisture where electrical joints are made, not so sure how it would work on this type of contact. I know that Vaseline used wrong on battery terminals does make smoke! LOL

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

Thanks to everyone who responded. Great ideas here, and the YouTube is very helpful!

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

Great video!

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

This is a valuable nugget, thanks!

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

I like Benson's suggestion, number 7. Eat more bacon so you have a supply of the nylon sheets.

Re: Starter stuck in on position - "Benefits" of Ethanol in gasoline.
 

See post 15.

The benefit is actually "two fold".

1. We have more plastic sheets.

2. If more Corn is fed to pigs then there is less Corn for them to make ETHANOL out of! :D

Pump gas in Iowa and maybe other states, is now 15% ethanol which causes all sort of problems in old cars like lowering gas mileage, less power, causes vapor locking and on and on.

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

perhaps use carbon conductive grease??? Kopr Shield???

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

No conductive grease imho.

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

In fact, no grease.

Re: Starter stuck in on position
 

I respectfully disagree with Bob. I have a dab of electrical grease in my switch and it works great. No sticking, no smoking, no dirt accumulation, no welding together of the contacts, no oxidation of the contacts, and low resistance of the contacts.