Starter Motor always engaged, HELP!!!!!!!!

[Eric Ringstrom]

I have an 87 Grand Wagoneer I bought with a blown engine. I replaced the engine with a low mileage motor from a 91 Grand Wagoneer that I was able to hear run. I now have the engine in and running but the starter motor stays engaged once the motor is running. I have put in 4 starters so far and they all do the same thing. I tried putting an aftermarket starter shim, didn't help. I don't think it's engaged electrically just to close to the flywheel??Is it possible when I bolted up the torque converter that it was in the wrong position and maybe it's not balanced right if theres such a thing. I also noticed that a couple of the torque converter bolt heads show signs of contact with something, I assuming the flex plate since it was a little bent upon installtion. I think I eliminated that problem by masaging the flex plate as straight as possible. Is a 91 360 flyeheel bigger than a 87 360???? Any ideas would greatly be appreciated. Thanks Eric Ringstrom

[Crazy_Jeepman]

What style of starter does your 87 have? Ford Style or the Mitsu starter. The Flex plate will only bolt on in one position. I ran into this problem before. I beleive there to be a differance between the flexplates used with the Ford Style starter and that of the Mitsu Starter. I discovered this when I put a flex plate from a 360 that had a Ford style starter and I had the Mitsu starter. When I went to fire it up the starter would not engage at all, it just spun free. Put the Ford style in and it was fine. Sounds like the same thing in reverse for you. By the way welcome to the forum!

[will e]

You can verify if it is getting Juice by checking the starter side of the solinoid with a volt meter.

[Crazy_Jeepman]

well its getting Juice! He is able to start it.

[heep]

I'm not really sure of the answer but this happened on one I picked up for parts and I just gave the starter solenoid a couple wacks with a wrench and it seemed to fix it. Fonzy style :D

[Eric Ringstrom]

Just want to add: I am using Ford style starter motor, but the flex plate is the one that came with the 91 motor. Also every component under the hood that could be replaced was replaced including the starter solnoid,all cables etc.,etc.I even tried a different solnoid but same thing happens.Does anyone know if 87 and 91 flexplates are different? Thanks

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Originally posted by Eric Ringstrom:
Just want to add: I am using Ford style starter motor, but the flex plate is the one that came with the 91 motor.Pretty sure thats your problem. Read my previous post on this. You will need to go to the Mitsu Starter I think, or change the flex plate. :eek:

[Crazy_Jeepman]

I just looked up the part# I guess there is a differance. 2 different Part# for the pre 88 and the Post 88. Wrong Starter with the wrong Flex Plate. I would swap in a Mitsu Starter be a lot easier than the Flex Plate

[Eric Ringstrom]

Thanks everyone, I think were sure that I need to start using a Mitsubishi starter to get this thing to work right. The new question is has anyone coverted their starter motor from the earlier Ford style to the Mitsubishi starter. The Ford style uses the fender mount solnoid as opposed to the Mitsubishi using the solnoid attached right to the starter. Electrical systems are not my forte', but i'm willing to learn.

[will e]

Originally posted by Crazy_Jeepman:
well its getting Juice! He is able to start it.I meant was it continuing to get juice..... smile.gif

[Crazy_Jeepman]

Did the Mitsu fix your starting problems?

[Eric Ringstrom]

YES! The Mitsubishi starter worked great, Thanks everyone. Eric