HELP...starter or ignition??

[ga.spyder]

OK,where to start.For about a year now,the starter sometimes grinds when attempting to turn the cold engine.Intermittent,and it always starts right up after turning the key off the re-engaging.Lately it has gotten worse,to the point where the starter keeps running and I have to disconnect the ground to get it to stop running.Today after a long run(started right up when cold,opposite of the normal pattern),it wouldnt restart.Then I smelled electric and the ground at the battery was so hot it nearly melted the insulation.Now the starter keeps running even after the motor starts.It also was in gear,and when I reconnected the ground it started trying to start,in gear,with me behind the car!!! Not even turning the key.WTH???I got it to restart a couple times,and then the starter kept running while the engine was running again.Pulled the ground and picked up the laptop So.........
Battery is good,connections are clean and tight .I cleaned the connections behind the alt.The Fiat seems very jealous of its cute Japanese garage mate

[Lons79spider]

It sounds as if the starter solenoid is not disengaging. I'd pull out the starter and have it tested.

Lon

[kilrwail]

That sucks Don't you love electricals? I'd order a new one - how many times do you want to wrestle with it?

[ga.spyder]

I have a starter that kmac had for his car.I dont think it was ever installed,as he decided to go with one of Mark's gear reduction starters.They are the same for all years ,arent they? I suspect it is the solenoid,also but wanted to get some other opinions.The starter is the one job on these cars I never wanted to do.

[So Cal Mark]

usually when a starter keeps running it's from low voltage to the solenoid

[ga.spyder]

What could cause that,Mark ? Anyway,I have wrestled the old starter out of the car.I will install the new one as soon as I have some time.I need to replace my negative terminal,the wire pulled completely out(that could cause low voltage?).I will check all my wiring and go from there.

[So Cal Mark]

a loose connection can cause a huge voltage drop

[ga.spyder]

Thanks Mark.

[rodman]

usually when a starter keeps running it's from low voltage to the solenoid

I would say its from ignition is sticking. never heard of start staying engaged from low voltage;;;;

[rodman]

To see if its a bad ground, just check your +12v to multiple grounds. If you check the +12v to many different grounds and keep getting 9.5v then the incoming 12v has a bad connection or something somewhere. If the solenoid only has a single connection for the +12v and no ground connection, just uses the steel for a ground, then its more than likely the incoming +12v is bad.

It's the voltage that goes to the smaller wire on the starter, not the large one.

[ga.spyder]

It seems the starter was the problem.I cahanged it and the car starts right up ,warm or cold.I have good voltage going to the new starter,so I assume it was good going to the old.I did have a very bad connection at my battery terminal.That has been fixed.Thanks,
Craig