Engine won't shut off!

johndavid · Aug 22, 2014

My 97 Ranger's engine won't turn off! I changed the original starter and battery and was thrilled when it started better than it had for a long time, only it wouldn't turn off. I had to disconnect the battery for the engine to die. Any Ideas? I'm desperate for help.

AgPete139 · Aug 22, 2014

When the engine is on, does the starter remain on as well? It sounds like the starter turns over, engine starts, and the starter remains engaged with the ignition in the ON position.

Did you touch the starter solenoid RELAY on the driver side fender well?

I would guess that:

1.) the red positive battery wire is from the battery post to the wrong solenoid RELAY terminal (there are 3 terminals on the black cylindrical starter solenoid), causing power to always go to the starter/starter solenoid on the transmission....

2.) The wires are crossed on the starter solenoid terminals at the transmission, causing power to always run the starter regardless. Somewhere it is being bridges where it is not supposed to.

Good luck. :icon_hornsup:

RonD · Aug 22, 2014

Yes, I assume you mean the starter won't turn off???

1997 should have the Starter Relay on the starter motor.
The starter relay is what activates the starter motor, it used to be on the inner-fender, often called the starter solenoid.
In any case the starter relay is activated by a smaller, often red, wire, this wire comes from the ignition switch and ONLY has 12 volts when key is turned all the way to START.
The terminal on the starter relay for this wire is labelled "S", whether it is on the starter motor itself or on the inner fender.

If starter won't stop then either the relay is bad(new relays can be bad) or the "S" wire has 12volts while key is on, which would be bad.

AgPete139 · Aug 22, 2014

Ron, I have had two '97's myself, and both have one on the driver side inner fender as well.

There's a starter relay on the fender and another starter solenoid on the starter body itself.

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/ULT0/033702/01920.oap?year=1997&make=Ford&model=Ranger&vi=5007505&ck=Search_starter_5007505_-1&keyword=starter

And Ron is right about everything else in the above post. Let us know how it goes, JohnDavid.

96firephoenix · Aug 23, 2014

if the engine is still running, check your ignition switch. it is on the bottom of the column, under the knee panels. you should be able to pull it down and cycle it with your thumb (this might hurt depending on how calloused your thumbs are) all the way forward is start, and about a quarter inch from all the way back is off.

if that operates normally, I hate to say it, but you have something broken inside your steering column. There's a push/pull rod that runs from the key to the switch... my 96 did the exact same thing, and that rod was snapped. I think you can replace it with the column still in the car, but I"m not sure.

stuntsunltd. · Sep 6, 2014

ignition switch

+1 for checking the ingition switch. Ford had recalls for years with the igition switches in just about everything. The problem with the switch is that the switch bodies are held together via metal tabs that are bent into place and over time they loosen and can cause the switch to short out. This reportedly was the cause of several vehicles catching fire as well so definetly look into that possibility. Good luck and let us know what you find.

Engine won't shut off!

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