Mini Starter problems

[73cudakid]

Hello all,

Im trying to put the finishing touches on my 73 340 cuda. I hooked up my starter and as soon as i hooked up to the battery terminal the starter immediately started spinning (but not ingaged with the flywheel). I then took out the key and tried again thinking i might have had the key in the on position. Starter does the same thing w/o the key even in it. I'm thinking i have the wire for the starter relay in the wrong termnal on the starter since they are so hard to see with the headers on and no light in the garage. But does anyone have an idea why it would spin with out the key even in the ignition....bad relay, iginition switch???

Thanks in advance for the help

73 Cudakid (Extremely electrically challenged to say the least)

[73EStroker]

Couple of ideas here
1. You may have welded contacts in the solenoid that switch the main power to the starter motor. You have to remove the end cap off the solenoid to check this. Undo the main wires. Make sure your battery main ground is disconnected first. If this is the case you need to replace the contacts.
2. Disconnect the small wire that goes to the solenoid. Tape that wire up to prevent a short and reconnect the battery ground. There are only two wires - a big one and a little one. You want the little one in this case. If that fixes it the solenoid is receiving a signal constantly which points to the small fender mounted starter relay being faulty. Replace that.

Hope this helps