Hey guys, I know this isnt Chevelle related.... But I have a problem. My daily driver is a 1991 Ford Mustang 5.0 w/ 5 speed. Earlier today when I started the car the starter kept going and going. It was keeping the car above its normal idle. I immediatly recognized the problem... as there was an unnatural noise and vibration. I killed the ignition and took the key out. The starter kept turning the engine over. The only way I was able to stop this was to remove the battery negative cable. Upon reattaching the cable, the starter began to act up. By this time the battery was dead. The starter in the car was replaced not two weeks ago by a very highly recommended and professional mechanic. Upon trying to jump the car the jumper cables melted, in the process damaging my buddy's front headlight of his dodge van. I called the mechanic and all he could say is that there is a short somewhere in my car. None of the electricals work and I really hope that nothing was damaged. Can anyone provide insight to the problem or at least alleviate my concern. Im really bummed out and I dont know what to do besides get it taken to another shop to have it worked on.

P.S. I am currently an hour and a half away from teh mechanic that serviced my car due to the fact that I am currently stranded at college. I rely on this car to get home every weekend for work. The most cost effective solution is what I need. I was basically broke when i purchased this car and so far I have had to borrow over 3K to put into it just to get it inspected.... Which it is not yet because all I have left to do is replace the H-pipe which is at my home.

sounds like the solenoid is the problem (stuck on, causing high amp draw.) shorts usually cause big spark/fire.

http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/aap/gps/ss94.jpg (http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/aap/gps/ss94.jpg)

Does your starter look like this?

http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/aap/pld/97101_sid.gif (http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/aap/pld/97101_sid.gif)

Older Ford starters (like my 66 Mustang) used a starter solenoid that was mounted on the fender skirt.

You also have a starter relay (under the dash) which could be bad.
http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/aap/gps/ry-rz/ry116.jpg (http://www.partsamerica.com/product_images/aap/gps/ry-rz/ry116.jpg)

I honestly don't know what the starter looks like, When i talked to the mechanic he said that unlike my chevelle (he has serviced that as well) the solenoid is not mounted with the starter. If that is any help. Also he just said that its a short and he would need to look at it to diagnose it... convient since he is an hour and a half away.

I'm not familiar with the Fords a whole lot but I've installed a few stereo's in them but I have to ask, is the battery behind the driver's side headlight ?. If so a little back from the battery close to the shock tower there may be a plastic cover covering the starter solenoid. This cover if in place is held on with I think either a phillips screw, a push in type plastic big headed clip, or something else but once this is off the starter solenoid should be underneath. You will see two big wires going to it with a small wire also. Do a search for ford starter solenoids for a visual picture but it will have two mounting ears, two 3/8" studs on each side and a small threaded terminal also. It's round and about 1.5"-2" in diameter and about 2" tall.

Now once you find this one of the big terminals (holding the wire terminal to the solenoid should be a 9/16" nut) will go to the battery and the other to the starter. You want to disconnect the wire going towards the starter. Once this is done reconnect the battery and put you hand on the solenoid at the same time and see if you feel it clunking and it may not if it's stuck. You should now be getting power to the car and the dome light, headlights, and other things can be turned on. If so then you didn't blow any fusible links.
Now take the cable that was disconnected off of the starter solenoid and touch it back onto the post it was removed from. It may spark and if it does leave it off and disconnect the small push on terminal wire on the solenoid. Now touch the starter cable back onto the solenoid. If it arcs then the solenoid is stuck on and a new one needs to be put in. If so, now disconnect the battery again and leave it that way until the solenoid is replaced and bolted down.
It's possible the starter is also stuck and also the wire going to the starter from the starter solenoid is shorted against something. This may also break the new starter solenoid too and arc the contacts together.

Jim

Your starter solenoid is stuck on you. (It looks like the example in picture 1 with two big posts and 2 little ones). First thing I would do to diagnose it is to remove the small red wire that goes to the starter solenoid. (The solenoid is on the fender). If it still keeps the starter engaged it has a starter solenoid problem if it doesnt stay engaged then there is a problem in the curcuit from the ignition switch. Chance are you now have more the none problem. The wiring could be melted or a fusible link could be melted. First things first. Good luck