Need Help Quick Please!/ Starter not engaging

[CHEVROLET77]

Ok, first of all I have a 1977 chevy k10 w/ 5.7l v8.  Anytime I would turn the key and the starter would come on it wouldnt shut off even if you turned the ignition off and took out the key.  Then today my starter was lugging down after I took a drive to walmart.  Then at the gas station it wouldnt start at all.  I pop the hood and the battery connection had gotten so hot it snapped in half.  So I got it started and drove it home (W/out battery cable on) right when I pulled up to my house the truck shut off and locked up the steering wheel.  Anyway I get a new battery connection and try to start it and the starter doesnt engage and I have to unhook the battery to get it to stop.  It sounded horrible.  This is my daily driver and I need some help please.
Thank You
Jared  

Edited by: CHEVROLET77 at: 3/1/07 10:57 pm

[roundedline]

what changed before is started doing this?

I would say either your ignition switch is stuck, or your solenoid is sticking.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[CHEVROLET77]

Nothing changed except for the fact that the truck lugged when starting, the battery connection broke in half from heat, and now the starter is just grinding on something and not turning over the engine.  And since the truck kind of stalled and the steering wheel locked up I'm wondering if the engine seized???  but it only has 40,000 (New Engine, not rebuilt)
Thank You
Jared

[DnStClr]

Any possibility that the wires to the starter are reversed?
edit- I read where a battery exploded when the starter solenoid shorted out and fried the battery.So you may want to have your battery tested too.

Don St.Clair
Culleoka Tn

Edited by: DnStClr at: 3/2/07 12:34 pm

[VileZambonie]

Your steering will get hard when the engine stalls because the power steering pump is no longer working.

Did the starter continue to run when you turned the key off? If so you probably just need a new starter (defective solenoid) Now sounds like a broken starter drive.

If it melted the battery post check your wires and connections at the starter and make sure they are not touching ground, rubbed insulation or burned through etc

[Lt.Del]

Go to a slavage yard and spend $15 to get another starter/solenoid assembly.  Twenty minutes installation time and you're set. As Vile stated, ensure your wires aren't touching one another, there isn't much room down there where all the wires are attached to the solenoid.  Ensure your exhaust isn't burning thru the insulation on the wires.  

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4

[CHEVROLET77]

I just got a new starter, and it  solved all my problems.  It actually made my truck run better, it must have been holding the engine back or something, cause now it revs longer/ goes faster in each gear.  Thanks Everyone!

[JAG66]

I've got to get me one of them starter things.  

[Lt.Del]

Yeah, it's a great invention.  You should try it out.
It beats the old hand-turned crank.

SgtDel
aka "Andy"

www.delbridge.net

1979 Big 10 383 stroker
1991 Blu 'Burb 3/4 ton 4x4