Removed starter to troubleshoot on 48 DeSoto

[MarcDeSoto]

Yesterday, my starter keep going very fast with all the spark plugs out.  I kept clicking the remote starter switch to cut it off, but it still ran.  I pulled off the remote starter switch connection from the neg. battery terminal.  It still kept running.  Had to resort to pulling the ground cable to stop the starter.  So I pulled the starter today to troubleshoot it.  I noticed that this rubber boot over the pinion gear shaft.  Age has badly cracked it.  Does anyone sell this boot?  Or maybe I should take it to an auto electric shop to look at it? 

Edited January 26, 2023 by MarcDeSoto

[Dave72dt]

remove the solenoid.  There may be a broken spring inside that pushes against the plunger

[MarcDeSoto]

My shop manual does give this problem a few lines.  

 

4. Solenoid operates starter but will not release when the starter switch is released.

     a. Resistance ground at relay points (item 3) solenoid side.

     b. Resistance ground between starter switch and or (item 1) relay terminal.

     c. Shift lever return spring broken or out of position.  

Remedies :

Check for any of the above conditions and correct as necessary.  If difficulty is encountered in subject C, replace the spring.  

 

I think what they mean by "resistance ground" is a short.  

[Bingster]

I removed the starter on my 47' Custom and it was a bear to get the bolts out. I got it out okay but had to build a makeshift 2 X 4 cradle to prop up under the starter to hold it up while I wrenched the bolts back in.

[MarcDeSoto]

It's a lot easier to remove the starter with the body off.  The top bolt is easy to access.  The bottom bolt is tougher because I had to remove some oil filter lines to get access. What did you do to the starter after you removed it?  

[Bingster]

There is a place here that rebuilds starters and I took it there for a look see. He tested it and said it was okay. I think he fixed a couple of minor things and didn't charge me. When we did attempt to start the car it worked fine.

[MarcDeSoto]

I did the same thing with my starter.  Troubleshooting the starter is above my pay grade.  I phoned a few auto electric shops who didn't seem to know much about old cars.  Then I found a shop in Oceanside, CA with a pic of a 39 Buick in their ad.  I looked at the customer reviews and a guy said "They did a great job rebuilding my 33 Plymouth starter and generator".  So I took it there.  It is a father and son shop and the father said he was 75 years old and knew all about my starter.  He said there was probably a short in the solenoid or some bad points, and that they don't make those parts anymore.  They said they would check it out and let me know next week.  So if anyone knows if anyone has solenoid parts for sale, let me know.  

[vintage6t]

6 hours ago, MarcDeSoto said:

I did the same thing with my starter.  Troubleshooting the starter is above my pay grade.  I phoned a few auto electric shops who didn't seem to know much about old cars.  Then I found a shop in Oceanside, CA with a pic of a 39 Buick in their ad.  I looked at the customer reviews and a guy said "They did a great job rebuilding my 33 Plymouth starter and generator".  So I took it there.  It is a father and son shop and the father said he was 75 years old and knew all about my starter.  He said there was probably a short in the solenoid or some bad points, and that they don't make those parts anymore.  They said they would check it out and let me know next week.  So if anyone knows if anyone has solenoid parts for sale, let me know.  

 

PM me when you know what parts you need. I have a variety of spare soleniod parts and entire solenoids. 

[MarcDeSoto]

Wow!  Thank you.  I will.