new starter wont disengage

if the starter is continuing to crank the solenoid is most likely sticking. New doesn't always mean good. Take an ohm meeter or continuity tester and test if the two large posts of the solenoid have continuity with the wires off the solenoid. If you have continuity the solenoid is sticking. It's a common problem but often misdiagnosed. If the starter is contiuing to run the electrical system will not charge because all the power generated by the alt. will be used by the starter cranking. If I am correct about the solenoid being the issue you may still have the charging problem after the original problem is corrected. The additional load from the contiuous cranking from the starter may either blow your main fuse or burn out your voltage regualtor on your alternator. Good luck hope this helps.

Earlier Fords also had what was referred to as a solenoid bolted to the firewall somewhere around the battery. Power when from the battery to this solenoid then on to the starter. This could be bad also, although usually when it is bad the vehicle will not turn over or stay running. The part is about twelve bucks.

It is possible that as you have changed the starter motor, the fault could lie within the ignition switch, where the switch is not springing back from the 'crank' position.

I had that problem with my 88 Ford econoline motor home. Just fixed it was my starter cable

Buy a better starter ! Had same issue

we have a new battery, new starter and recently it wouldn't disengage when trying to crank. I bought a new solenoid and it still does the same thing. changed out the switch, that didn't help either.

Same problem with my '92 F150 5.0 Replaced solenoid problem persisted tried pulling "s" wire push on connection and starter kept running, indicated solenoid fine. Pulled column cover and lower dash and found broken plastic bracket with a tube/ cable system that disengages the starter. Because bracket was broken cable was slack and starter kept turning. When I pulled tube and broken bracket into correct position starter fired up the truck and disengaged properly. Problem identified however I have no idea what the part name or number is or where to find replacement!!!

I want to thank Jeremy (the first one e to reply, 7 years ago). Your tip is exactly what I needed to diagnose and solve my problem. You will likely never see this, but...Thank you!

Just wanted to say it is really nice that some people actually take the time to take pictures and post it thanks.

I have a 1992 F150 with 65k miles on it. I had one day of the problem where the starter kept running while the car was running and kept running after I turned the key off...in this case the starter gear was not engaged. Without a tool handy I kept turning the key from full on to full off and after 10 cycles, the starter stopped. So I got ready to try it again with the hood open and the battery terminal loose. Got the same result but this time the gear was engaged after the key was turned off and the engine was not running...but the starter kept cranking the engine. So I disconnected the battery terminal. I read these comments and didn't know what to do so I pulled the starter and the starter relay on the firewall. I benched these with 12V power supplies and both worked ok and both looked like they were in good shape. So I put them both on but I don't think I fixed anything. (By the way the last comment about a broken piece of plastic that controls the starter is not right because that cable only moves the pointer on the shifter that points to Park, Drive, 2nd. So anyway the plan is 4 steps if it happens again. This will determine where the problem is. If the starter runs again I will do the following: 1) turn off the key and see if there are lights on the dashboard. If on then the firewall relay is still on. 2) Next open the hood and disconnect the S connector on the firewall relay...this can be pulled off by hand. If the starter stops the problem is probably back at the steering column. 3) Next if the starter is still running, hit the firewall relay with something like a screwdriver handle. If the starter stops it may be the relay. 4) Next if the starter is still running, hit the starter solenoid with a 4 foot stick. If the starter stops it may be the starter solenoid. If it still doesn't stop pull the battery terminal before a fire starts....just kidding. So wish me luck because I am not buying another truck! Chuck

@Guru. i hope you got it fixed. i have a similar problem on my 89 ranger w/ 51K miles. the original starter hung-up and burned out. so i replaced it and that one, after working well for about 10 times, hung up and burned out (thankfully they warrantied it [i don't think they'll do it again]). so, i now have my second new one on, but i think i'll replace the solenoid on the fender, just for good measure. AND, as a super-cheap safety precaution (plus, this is an "old-school" anti-theft measure), i'm putting an on/off switch on the starter side of the solenoid. if the starter should hang-up again, this switch should cut off all electricity to it and...bob's your uncle. trying to keep it simple. :)

My brand new starter in my ford ranger 302 turned over once, twice and fired, I then tried again then all I got was click. I changed the already new fire wall solenoid to a heavy duty upgrade and still get nothing but a click. Any suggestions?

Check the positive battery cable. Mine was so bad that when I was getting ready to take off the starter the end that connects to the starter broke off.