Somebody help me here. I am not a mechanic, but i am fairly intelligent and very good with tools.

1988 F350 7.3 diesel with 130K
Great truck, havent had any problems since i got it in the spring.

The other day i went to start the truck, turned it over and it didnt start on the first try.
(this happens from time to time, but it always goes on the second try)

Well when i backed off the key, the truck continued to turn over. I repeated the motion on the ignition cylinder, took the key out, still turning over the engine by itself until it killed both batteries.

I replaced the starter solenoid thinking maybe it was frozen open. No luck. Still does it. I will re-charge the batts,try again. Its like whatever is supposed to tell the thing to stop trying to start, isnt telling it.

Somebody help me!! i am going crazy

 

Bye the way, in addition to what i just said:

The pushrod on top of the column seems to be moving freely, and i also attemped to adjust the location of the ignition switch box on top of the column thinking maybe it need to move down a little.

No difference.

 

make sure the rod is returning when you turn the key back to the run position. under the steering wheel are two pot metal actuators one is a gear that your key switch rides on and the other is the actuator that controls that rod. These two parts are weak points in the mechanics of the system.

 

Quick piece of advise, Disconnect the starter solenoid under the hood while you are playing with it so the starter does not engage and start turning. You dont want to be replacing the starter too.

 

Yes , disconnect the wire going to the starter from the fender mounted starter solenoid . Then use a test light or volt meter to see if the system is working correctly to that point . Check voltage at the terminal where you removed the wire when you turn the key .It should only be hot while holding the key to start . Then you will know which way to go to find the problem . There is another solenoid on the starter .

 

Sounds like the lower starter mounted solenoid is stuck closed.
If that is the case it will start cranking as soon as you hook up the battery cables.
The battey cables run directly to the starter mounted solenoid.

 

will let u guys know what happens. Thanks for all the good advice. In the meantime i replaced the Ignition Switch also. Only 13 bucks at NAPA.

 

Now i am startin to lose it..

I replaced the starter solenoid (the one under the hood) and i put in a new ignition switch.

The thing still cranks over and keeps cranking even when i back off the key. This is nuts...

I am hearing about another solenoid on the starter itself ? Whats that all about?

Someone please help, i am going crazy !! Plus the snow is coming and its my plow truck.

 

Yes , the one on the fender operates the solenoid on the starter . Personally I would replace the starter with a new high torgue starter from D B Electrical in Tennesee .They are new and cost $150.00 including shipping. I am running 2 of them . They turn the engine over faster and have more torgue .