Starter stays engaged

[Pandar]

I have a 69 f250 Ranger Camper Special with a 360 w/ automatic trans. I was setting timing on it last night and everything, electrically speaking, was functioning correctly. I did turn the starter for long periods (15-20 seconds) a handful of times. I quit working on the truck when the starter stayed engaged with the ignition off. I assumed I melted the solenoid and purchased a new one this morning. I put a brand new battery in it and installed the new solenoid. Hooked up the battery terminals, and the engine started turning over with the key in my pocket again. I've gone through the wires under the hood and dash and cannot visually see any that are shorting or burned. I pulled the ignition switch and installed new terminals. (The truck turned over even with the whole ignition switch in my hand) I'm kind of at a loss as to what it could be. The truck is unmolested in terms of wiring. Nothing is frayed, brittle, or spliced. Before I start throwing parts and time at it I would like to have someone else put their 2 cents into the pot, and then troubleshoot it from there. Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions!

[HIO Silver]

Disconnect the starter cable from the solenoid and disconnect the battery cable from the battery.

Verify that the "I" and "S" wires to the solenoid are on the correct terminals.

Verify that the solenoid is properly grounded through its mounting screws.

Attach the positive battery cable to the battery. Observe and listen.

Did the solenoid engage with a hollow "click"? If it did then the solenoid is stuck in the engaged position. Solenoids can be bad when new but try this.... firmly tap on the solenoid with the handle of a hammer. Test again.

If not, use the ignition key to engage the solenoid using the ignition switch. Did you hear a "click" or nothing?

Post your findings.

[sargentrs]

Verify that the "I" and "S" wires to the solenoid are on the correct terminals.

Most especially this. I changed my solenoid once and got 'em backwards. As soon as I touched the battery cable to the battery post my truck jumped forward. It scared the crap out of me and I dropped the cable. Good thing I had the E-brake set.

[Pandar]

S U C C E S S !!!!!!!

Thanks HIO Silver!

First I verified the "I" and "S" terminals had the correct wires going to them. They did. I removed the solenoid and inspected the bolts that fasten it to the inner fender. They were rusted over and the holes they went through on the fender were rusted as well. I wire brushed everything and reinstalled the solenoid. Then disconnected the starter wire and ran through the steps you suggested. There was no noise at all regardless of the ignition in the start position or not. I tapped the solenoid with the handle of a hammer, tried it again and it worked! I put a test light on it to verify and power is now being cut off with the key. I guess the solenoid plunger was stuck out of the box new. Thanks again for your help!

[Calfdemon]

It should not have been stuck at all as a new solenoid. If it was, it is only a matter of time before it does it again. Take it back and exchange it for another one. That solenoid is already bad and on its way to being worse. I have had them bad out of the box before as well.