Starter Running On it's Own?
 

Hi all, 2006 5.7L HEMI SLT

For a while I have been dealing with the car shutting off when I shift the gear from Reverse to Drive. However, when I went to to start the car after it shut off the car turned but, didn't start. Then I turned the key again and as it was turning over I let go of the key but, the starter kept turning for 3 seconds then it started without the key at the On position.
Anyone have an idea why that would happen? My wife said it happened a couple of times. It happened to me once.

Thanks in advance

It's a relay. You have a relay stuck open.

Thanks for the info. Where is the relay located? The fuse box at the engine?

There should be a relay in the fuse box in the engine compartment for the starter.

The other issue which could cause this is the starter solenoid on the starter itself is stuck. There can be quite a large spark sometime when the starter solenoid engages, which can effectively "weld" the contacts closed if the starter is old. Same thing can happen in a relay. The starter solenoid is basically a large relay.

Sometime giving the starter/starter solenoid some "love" with a hammer or big wrench is enough to knock it free again. But this is not a permanent fix. Just the starter solenoid cannot be replaced, it is part of the starter and not easily serviceable and you must replace the starter.

Fuse is cheaper than a starter, so that would be the first thing to try.

Yep, he's 100% right about that too.

It is absolutely normal for the engine to continue to crank after the key is released on these vehicles. It is how the vehicle is programmed. The engine should continue to crank for 3-5 seconds after the key is released unless the engine starts before that point.