Cant Turn Engine Off

[Mike169]

Hi, i can accept that the starter motor never disengaged if the car kept on running even with the key out as it's the rear end, the electrics of the key/barrel that have gone wrong not the metal parts you can see but a small 'contact set' at the very bottom, the bit the wires go to, shame it this part is relatively cheap.....if this part has stuck the car could carry on running and possibly with the starter still engaged in which case it would of spun at say 40 times it's normal speed and you would of heard a terrible whine from the car, did you hear this? Mike.

[gjnorthall]

The starter motor pinion sits next to the clutch so it will get a coating of clutch dust - nothing unusual in that. I don't think that there was a complaint of the motor sticking, clicking or failing to spin properly so clutch dust isn't an issue. In any event it would have been a few minutes work to clean up the pinion area of the motor. The starter motor is only functional when the car is being started - thereafter it just sits there. The issue of the car running with the ignition key removed has nothing whatsoever to do with the starter motor. Similarly, theres nothing in what you've said that would suggest the clutch needs replacing - presumably it's functioning correctly without slipping or juddering?

From what has been outlined on this forum I would suggest giving this particular outfit a wide berth in future.

[Mike169]

Hi Gjnorthall, i am wondering if the switching wire to the stater was getting a constant feed due to sticky contacts on the back of the ign switch, the switch/loom part and it has spun up his starter motor to a very high speed and burnt it out? Mike.

[crofter]

I have seen armature wires, that due to the centrifugal force created by being driven by the engine,disintegrate and melt.

The car was driven in by the owner who said "the engine was making a funny noise" but that was caused by a sticking bendix not throwing out

Del

[gjnorthall]

If the starter motor remained energised with the engine running - it would burn itself out very quickly and the noise would be horrendous until something failed.