battery/starter/alternator

[txtj79]

Ok, I'm helping a friend on a '78 Bonanza.  Alternator was shot.  Replaced alternator and charged battery....trucks starts fine now.  While we were working on it, we discovered a weird issue.  We had replaced the alternator, but had not charged the battery yet.  I have a portable jumpstart booster box that I was planning on jumping the truck off with.  When I connected the booster box and flipped the power on, teh truck started trying to turn over, but the keys were in my pocket.  The booster box didn't seem to have enough power to start the truck, so I took the battery off and charged it overnight a trickle charger.  The truck started easily the next morning.  I'm confused though....how come when I connect the charged battery, the truck didn't try to start itself, but it would with the booster box?  One more thing, I took the carb off to clean it up and replaced.  When I tried to start, of course there was no gas in the carb so the truck cranked for about 30 seconds.  When this happened, the truck kept cranking even after I took the key out.  I had to go around and disconnect the battery inorder to get it to stop cranking.  What do you guys think may be wrong?

Thanks,

T.J.

[camdenoilchange]

previous alternator could have spiked and the starter solenoid shorted out. that would explain self starting and continuous engagement of the starter. They trickle charger probably didn't give it enough amperage to engage. hope this helps.

[ccz145a]

Starter solenoid is stuck open. Take the starter down and look it over. This is stock and not rigged wiring right? There might be some strange wiring solutions performed over the last 30yrs, like Ford solenoids wired in.

[Lt.Del]

do what I do, give the starter solenoid a good WHACK

[VileZambonie]

Replace the starter. It will keep happening especially as temperatures change - the solenoid is sticking as mentioned.

[txtj79]

Well, it sounds like the starter is the culprit.  I will change it out.

Thanks,

T.J.

[Bitzer!]

before you junk it, just check there is nothing touching the main power in and the switching wire. We used to set up our race cars that way!