Starter Won't Stop

72 CJ5, turned ignition, motor started then starter wouldn't stop turning. Turned off engine, starter still spinning. Disconnected from battery. There is no obvious issue with the wiring from what I can tell. SO... Ignition switch? Solenoid? Any simple way to tell? My electrical knowledge is only fair. Thanks

 

I had this happen to me on my cj7. Inspect the ring gear for damage. It could be a shimming issue but if you haven't touched the starter and this just happen it could be the starter is going bad. Most important is to check your ring gear that the starter engages with for any signs of damage and or clues as to how you have to shim the starter if it is an alignment issue.

Leave your negative battery cable loose enough to pull off while you get it sorted out so you can yank it at first sign of trouble and you don't damage your ring gear.

 

Can also be starter relay on pass fender.

 

I had the same problem with two Borg Warner solenoids so I switched to a standard blue streak and have had no problems since.

 

Blue Streak is top shelf but I doubt a SS-581X is still available. The Standard SS-581 is available and is a good part.

 

These Ford type solenoids have an achillies heel in that those beefy battery/starter contacts lend ape like arms like mine to overtorque the nuts, internally this'll bend the contact plates making for constant continuity, as you can see by the starter still spinning. The only fix is to go out and purchase another solenoid.