3GR Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 Have a 1949 Desoto 2nd series (S13). Starter will engage and crank engine, but when key is released starter continues to crank until battery is disconnected. Starter motor is good and engine will start, but starter will not disengage after engine starts. Don't know if it's a starter solenoid issue or if there's a problem with the ignition switch. Tried wiggling the ignition key on and off, but this has no effect on stopping the starter. Have cleaned wire connections on end of solenoid, but this was no help. Also cleaned and lubricated started drive and linkage, but that made no difference. This is an intermittent problem that happens in one of about 25 starts. Can anyone help me troubleshoot this? Have a service manual but it's of little use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted July 13, 2022 Share Posted July 13, 2022 Does your car have a starter relay? Give it a few raps with a screwdriver handle next time it sticks. You may need a new one. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3GR Posted July 14, 2022 Author Share Posted July 14, 2022 Good suggestion! I'll give the relay a rap next time it sticks. If it releases I can rule out the possibility of a bad ignition switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
61polara Posted July 14, 2022 Share Posted July 14, 2022 Look for frayed wires in the starting circuit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3GR Posted July 14, 2022 Author Share Posted July 14, 2022 Thanks, but already checked for frayed wires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted July 14, 2022 Share Posted July 14, 2022 If they use the same starter relay as some of the newer models you can take it apart by bending the tabs on the cover, and file the contacts. It should then work as good as new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted July 14, 2022 Share Posted July 14, 2022 Sounds like a faulty ignition switch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3GR Posted July 14, 2022 Author Share Posted July 14, 2022 Followed Rusty_OToole's suggestion. Went to start the Desoto this morning and on the first attempt the starter failed to stop cranking. Tapped solenoid with both a plastic and a steel hammer several times with no result. Removed the ignition key from the lock and starter continued cranking. Tapped front of the lock lightly with a hammer and that didn't work. Had to disconnect the batter cable to get the starter to stop. Immediately reconnected cable and starter operated normally for 7 tries then started cranking again and I couldn't stop it. Thinking that the problem could be the ignition switch, went to auto parts store and bought a can of Blaster Lock Dry Lubricant & De-Icer. Shoved the spray nozzle into the lock, gave it a good squeeze, and worked the key back and forth several times. Reconnected the battery cable, turned the key back and forth to the start position about 40 times, and each time the starter functioned normally. I guess time will tell if this was the problem. Open to more comments. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted July 15, 2022 Share Posted July 15, 2022 (edited) Shows how hard it is to diagnose a fault by long distance. A few minutes testing is worth many hours of theories and speculation. Glad you found the solution, hope you have some nice drives in your DeSoto. By the way thanks for coming back and telling us your result, it will help us next time someone has a similar problem. Edited July 15, 2022 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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