so ive been trying to get my mk2 back on the road, and im going nuts trying to figure out the starter.

will turn key over to start, starter will kick in, but will keep going after key is removed. it will stop when the starter is tapped with a hammer or battery disconnected.

have tried 3 different solenoids, and bypassed the relay completely, so im guessing its something inside the starter?

what could it be?

i want to get her running ASAP, so any help is greatly apperciated

Thanks, Tom

you say it uses a solenoid, so is it an automatic kent? or a 2ltr

theres either a short inside the solenoid, the tab is touching the + lead to battery, your solenoid wire has a short (ie ignition being on may be sending power to it??) or all 3 solenoids are to aged?

i had sticking problems with a few starters, but it was always when the battery was dead, and if it did start, the movement of the flywheel would kick the solenoid back out...

Whenever my starter has stuck on its been becuase the key hadn't retracted (Brake Fail light was still on)

sorry, its a 2L

i completely bypassed the key to test. the solenoids tested ok out of the car. hasnt started just yet, so i dont know if that will stop it or not.

The two wires on the end of the solenoid are on the wrong way around.

quote:

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Originally posted by maxrs

The two wires on the end of the solenoid are on the wrong way around.

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the reason it doesn't start isnt due to lack of cranking spark is it?

if so then marks got it spot on.

pull it apart and give it a clean there is a wire fitted wrong

ok, starter stops now. just needed cleaning.

as for the wires the wrong way... is that the tabs, or the ones held on with nuts? the ground is the shorter pole isnt it?

I think its odd that it keeps going and stops with a clean --- tha starter moter is comtroled by the solenoid,--- i tryed pulling my solenoid apart { ground off parts of the crimp } that's the one on the fire wall and the starter sounded like a JET and stuffed the starter moter ----

Have you checked the contacts inside the solenoid on the starter. Sticking under can indicate burnt contacts. They fuse together under load not allowing the soleniod to release. The current under load is significantly higher than when "bench" tested.

You really need to check the basics first, battery voltage under load and drop across the cable under load.