ok...here we go...starter/switch/...somethings going on in my 89 vert....sighhhhh

ok...here goes... starter engaged and wouldn't stop even after turning the key off.. i put in a new starter solenoid switch and replaced the battery ground cable which was corroded as hell..now the car will only start with a jump and has no hangups with the starter but will not restart after turned off...tested the battery sitting and reads just a tad over 12v. jumped the car and with it idling is reading 13.8v. so I guess that rules out the battery and alternator? correct? i'm on to the next step...Ignition switch? ? or turn signal/wiper control lever..my wiper motor does not go?? but everything else works in that lever...squirter ,turn signals(although the left side is not illuminated in the gauges) but its working,and hi beams working also..where else could i be shorting out?? the starter looks brand new and the ground cable to the starter looks brand new as well..i was looking online and late model restoration has an ignition switch for like 23 bucks..i looked it up at autozone and they have one and only want like 13 bucks...if i do get one ..which one should i get?..is the autozone switch a cheap one??..sorry if this is confusing you all but i'm at a loss and need some guidance here... its been a long time since my foxbody days and i definetly need some memory refreshing...thanx in advance for the help you all

Battery should be reading 13-14 volts at all times.

If it engages and stays running ignition relay is stuck.

Ignition relays from the parts store is fine.

A battery that is fully charged will read 12.6 volts in theroy......the 13.8 that you read is the charging output voltage to the battery from the alt = fine also make sure you put all the wires on the new selonoid back in the proper place expecially the ignition lead/ trigger for the selonoid...if they are in the right place with key held in crank position make sure the ignition trigger to selonoid lights up , if it doesn't = trace it back to possible ignition switch failure

looks like it was just the battery It was reading 12.1 yesterday while car off ,I come home today with new battery in hand and tested old battery before and it was at 10.8....whoa...its never been under 12 the whole couple weeks of this stuff happening..i throw the new battery in and it reads 12.62 ..go take a spin for a little bit and reading after i got back was 13.08.. still under the ole watchful eye but the new battery seems to be the ticket even though the bad battery was an october 2010 battery. haaaa...think i may cruise to lowes in bel air tonight.......

ohhhh ... and thanx for the advice evreeone!!! now back to the fog light drama

ive been there with my old fox too. had bizarre electrical problems after installing a new garbage die hard battery. issues drove me nuts and swapped in another battery from home and the issues went away.

There was a recall on ignition switches in the early 90's on alot of Fords due to a fire hazard. My old 92 LX 5.0 had it done. I have done it to every Fox I've had since. Even if it wasn't your problem, it's cheap insurance.

ok...thanx for that info as i did pick up the ignition switch as well..I'll throw it in too..

oh,and 1 other thing?? how would i know if the ignition switch had been changed?? the reason i ask is that i opened up the steering column and seems the ignition switch has 2 zip ties holding it on?? is this factory from ford or a recall fix..and thanx again!!

WOW, that definetly isn't right. But I also remember a couple of ties on the harness to a tab on the plug as theres alot of large gauge wires going into a big plastic plug on a 90 degree angle... Makes it a bit more tidy in there for getting the covers on... Factory there were 2 screws that had torque to snap off heads on them. There is several ways to get these off. IIRC the Ford switch comes with Torx security head screws. Dunno about parts store ones...

ok...update ..i didn't look far enuff up in there...there is 2 factory screws in there..I guess the zip ties are for the massive wiring along side of it...and no screws with the AZ part just some wire retaining clip which slides around both pieces but I'm going to put some big zip ties back in there to secure the bundle

Just take one of the screws you take out to Lowes or HD, you should be able to find one to fit. Make sure you get it long enough to put a lock washer on it too.