Starter Stays Engaged... Please Help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TN4X4 · 07-23-2006, 05:12 PM

Could use a little advise since I'm new to the classic Chevy world. I've got a '72 K20 with a baseline 350. I've just replaced the starter and solenoid cause it sounded like it was dying of heat soak. Now the new starter won't shut off. I've read a similar post on here that covers this issue and the solution seemed to be shims because the gears are too tight. I've put what looks to be about an eighth of an inch of shims on the starter and it still won't disengage.

I've traced the purple wire from the igntion to the "S" post on the solenoid too. It appeared to be fine. I'm at a loss on this one? Should I shim it somemore? Thanks.

TN4X4 · 07-23-2006, 05:35 PM

Could it be that the starter and fly wheel aren't messing? 168 tooth flywheel and standard starter?

grayw0lf · 07-23-2006, 06:13 PM

I fought that one for a while. I shimmed & shimmed & shimmed some more.

It finally turned out to be a warped flexplate.

See if you can push the starter gear back into the starter w/ a screwdriver. Then, turn the engine by hand while noting the distance from the starter gear to the flexplate. There should be very very little change as you rotate the engine around.

Also, do be sure check the 153 vs 168 tooth count as you mentioned above. They need different starter gears.

Longhorn Man · 07-23-2006, 06:17 PM

Lets start with the simple stuff, is there a chance that the large battery cable eyelett is making contact with the S ot the R terminal? Is the purple on S, and the yellow on R?

jhow66 · 07-23-2006, 09:42 PM

Did you put the solenoid on the starter? If so did you put the return spring in?

TN4X4 · 07-25-2006, 02:26 PM

My apologies for not replying sooner, I'm working out of town.

I brought the situation up with one of the guys I deal with on a regular basis at the parts store. He replaced the reman starter with a new unit and bought back the solenoid. (Came out $13.00 on top. Sweet!) I had to leave before I could put the new starter on. To answer your questions:
- I put a new starter cable on and replaced the purple ignition wire. I am positive they were not touching, including the eyeletts.
- The return spring was definitely in place.

I'll have to check the flexplate for integrity when I get back home.

Thanks for the help guys. I'll let you what I find out when I find out.

07-23-2006, 05:12 PM	#1
TN4X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lebanon, TN Posts: 23	Starter Stays Engaged... Please Help Could use a little advise since I'm new to the classic Chevy world. I've got a '72 K20 with a baseline 350. I've just replaced the starter and solenoid cause it sounded like it was dying of heat soak. Now the new starter won't shut off. I've read a similar post on here that covers this issue and the solution seemed to be shims because the gears are too tight. I've put what looks to be about an eighth of an inch of shims on the starter and it still won't disengage. I've traced the purple wire from the igntion to the "S" post on the solenoid too. It appeared to be fine. I'm at a loss on this one? Should I shim it somemore? Thanks. __________________ '72 LWB K20 - SOLD '66 Mustang 289 3spd '42 Chevrolet Fire Truck

07-23-2006, 05:35 PM	#2
TN4X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lebanon, TN Posts: 23	Re: Starter Stays Engaged... Please Help Could it be that the starter and fly wheel aren't messing? 168 tooth flywheel and standard starter? __________________ '72 LWB K20 - SOLD '66 Mustang 289 3spd '42 Chevrolet Fire Truck

07-23-2006, 06:13 PM	#3
grayw0lf Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Clanton, AL Posts: 1,253	Re: Starter Stays Engaged... Please Help I fought that one for a while. I shimmed & shimmed & shimmed some more. It finally turned out to be a warped flexplate. See if you can push the starter gear back into the starter w/ a screwdriver. Then, turn the engine by hand while noting the distance from the starter gear to the flexplate. There should be very very little change as you rotate the engine around. Also, do be sure check the 153 vs 168 tooth count as you mentioned above. They need different starter gears. __________________ 85' CUCV M1009!!! The newest addition! 6.2diesel, Th400, NP208, & only 36k miles! 70' C-10 LWB Fleetside - Looking good these days! 05' Dodge Neon 88' Winner Escape Sport 1750 - 4.3v6 94' Seadoo SP 84' Honda TRX200, bare nekkid. Just a frame & tires. Always looking for another project or any good deal!

07-23-2006, 06:17 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: Starter Stays Engaged... Please Help Lets start with the simple stuff, is there a chance that the large battery cable eyelett is making contact with the S ot the R terminal? Is the purple on S, and the yellow on R?

07-23-2006, 09:42 PM	#5
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Re: Starter Stays Engaged... Please Help Did you put the solenoid on the starter? If so did you put the return spring in? __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

07-25-2006, 02:26 PM	#6
TN4X4 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Lebanon, TN Posts: 23	Re: Starter Stays Engaged... Please Help My apologies for not replying sooner, I'm working out of town. I brought the situation up with one of the guys I deal with on a regular basis at the parts store. He replaced the reman starter with a new unit and bought back the solenoid. (Came out $13.00 on top. Sweet!) I had to leave before I could put the new starter on. To answer your questions: - I put a new starter cable on and replaced the purple ignition wire. I am positive they were not touching, including the eyeletts. - The return spring was definitely in place. I'll have to check the flexplate for integrity when I get back home. Thanks for the help guys. I'll let you what I find out when I find out. __________________ '72 LWB K20 - SOLD '66 Mustang 289 3spd '42 Chevrolet Fire Truck Last edited by TN4X4; 07-25-2006 at 02:27 PM.



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