starter motor won't turn off after engaging

[bluboti]

Here's the deal, I have a 1969 C-20 350, TH400. Went to leave work, cranked a couple times and died. Solenoid clicked on two tries then no power anywhere. This happened a couple times that evening. Battery had 12.6 volts. Put in a rebuilt starter from NAPA, still didn't start. Ignition switch, nothin. Replaced a 12 year old Pertronix Igniter, nothin. Put shifter in neutral, fired up, but no brake lights. Just installed a new neutral safety switch, started right up in park, but the starter will not stop running and no brake lights or signals. Anybody have suggestions?

[raggedjim]

Sometimes a low battery voltage will cause the solenoid contacts to weld together which will cause the starter to keep cranking. I'd charge the crap out of the battery and then try again.

The fact you have been rewiring things kinda makes me lean toward the wiring though...

[dmjlambert]

I'm just trying to figure out what Pertronix Igniter would have to do with the starter not cranking. And the starter not stopping sounds really bad, that will drain your battery and overheat and damage the starter in a very short time. I hope you disconnected the battery quickly.

[_Ogre]

if the starter teeth are stuck into the flywheel this will also keep the solinoid engaged

[dmjlambert]

Well, that would probably call for shims.

One thing I learned The Hard Way, is "repair" battery terminals are bad. I thought I was the only one who felt that way, and then I ran across this picture on Google:

[bluboti]

Update, the starter ended up being faulty. She fired up and runs great! Needs a little timing adjustment though. Still runs strong after 244,000 original miles. Thanks for those who replied.