Starter spinning with no key in. Help!

[PeterH]

Ahhh, it never rains but it pours it seems.
I've had a great run with my 2001 P38 for several months now, but that has come to an abrupt halt.
I just tried to start it, key in ingnition as per normal, turned the key and the starter motor is spinning but not engaging.
I turned the key off and it just kept spinning.
I had to take a terminal off the battery to stop it spinning.
When I re connect the battery it just starts spinning once again.
So I can't start it or lock it at present, does anyone have any suggestions here, I'm stuck!
Thanks, Pete.

[PLR]

G`day ,

a good beginning point may be to have a look at the starter relay in the fuse box .
edit
More than likely the problem won`t be with the starter itself .

I don`t know if you can easily but removing the ( lucar ) single spade type connected wire on the starter solenoid itself , will help rule the starter out , the wire is what tells the solenoid when to work or when the key is turned it actuates the starter .

[PeterH]

Thanks for the quick reply Peter R, I tried swapping a yellow relay over for the starter and also a green one for the ignition, but no change.
I even took both relays out and connected the battery, it still spins.
I'm a bit stumped with where to start with this one.

[PLR]

G`day ,

there is the main battery feed the large wire at the starter , the small wire is the one that actuates the starter via the solenoid .

If you remove the small wire and the starter still rotates , there will possibly be an internal fault in the solenoid because the only power will be to the electric motor via the large wire .

If the starter doesn`t rotate with the wire removed , the connector is the end of the circuit so if nothing looks obvious or smells odd the connector will be the place to work back from .

Looking at the manual (electrical) will show the circuit .

Sometimes you can be lucky and some times it means spending time with the manual so you can work out where the cause can be .

Check anywhere that you have been looking at with steering shaft perusal for the fault , it may be a wire or something that you have moved .

Also check what the relation is between the key and the idiot lights and wriggle the key/lock about .

[PeterH]

Thanks again Peter, it's dark and freezing out there at the moment, but I'll get under there tomorrow morning and try pulling that spade connector off.
I have read the ingnition switch can gum up and cause weird things like this, spraying contact cleaner in the key hole and moving the key seems to have sorted that issue for others, so I might try that if the starter proves to be ok.

[Rob Hse]

I had a Sandman years ago that did the exact same thing ,it was the starter motor at fault ,I changed it and problem was solved...I would definitely blame the starter motor in your case if it still powers up with relays removed....the solenoid may also be loose ,or just faulty...hope this helps !

Sent from my XT1033 using AULRO mobile app

[PLR]

G`day Peter ,

i just reread your first and i think the main thing is the not engaging .

This would have to narrow it down to the starter i would think .

Nothing i typed about has any relation to not engaging .

When you have a look in the morning i`d suggest connecting the battery and see what happens .

If it`s still spinning i`d disconnect the battery again and give the starter a few thumps with a bit of wood or soft hammer ECT ,

If it still spins and having a helper would be helpful , reconnect the battery at the same time as you thump the starter . The helper can disconnect the battery should the starter not just spin but also engage . It won`t start because the key won`t be on .

The more i think on it the more the starter seems the culprit but your seeing the whole picture so i`m only suggesting .

[PeterH]

Thanks Rob, I will suspect the starter motor after reading your experience with the sandman.
At least I can get the starter rebuilt, (or new one if required) I'd probably rather that than having to search wiring for a problem.
Cheers, Pete.

[TheTree]

G`day Peter ,
If it`s still spinning i`d disconnect the battery again and give the starter a few thumps with a bit of wood or soft hammer ECT ,

Good old trick, reminds me of the bit of vision of Clive Palmer leaving parliament house in his roller and he had to give the starter a tap to get it to go.

[TheTree]

Thanks Rob, I will suspect the starter motor after reading your experience with the sandman.
At least I can get the starter rebuilt, (or new one if required) I'd probably rather that than having to search wiring for a problem.
Cheers, Pete.

Pete

I have a spare starter lying around if you get stuck mate