Starter on 2.4 DOHC sunfire

[viper1230]

Recently I went to go start my car and when I started it I heard a metal like noise and my volt meter was reading 10.8 volts so I thought my alternator took a crap. While car was running I popped the hood nod it didn’t sound like the alternator. So I turned the car off and took the keys out to only notice that the car kept cranking. Went to get a tool to disconnect the battery when it stopped cranking. I’m afraid to try to start it again in case it won’t stop cranking unless I disconnect the battery. I think it may be a faulty starter as it is the OE and the car has 118k miles. Can someone please confirm this or is it possibly something else? Also how to test the starter without taking it out or if it is something else, how to test for that?

Topic

[college man]

The metal sound was the starter being engage with the car
running.If the starter stayed cranking.either your ignition
switch is faulty or the starter relay is stuck.

[EricTheCarGuy]

Honestly it sounds more like an ignition switch problem. Remove the solenoid wire and check to see if you have a 12v signal there. If you have a 12signal there all the time then it may be the ignition switch that’s the problem and not the starter. You can use the information in the above video for more specific information. Keep us posted.

[Author]

Replies