1974 Ford Pinto Question?

Oct 20

I bought a mint condition 1974 Ford Pinto Hatchback with only 14.102 certified miles. everything is factory down to the tires. it has a 2300 cc engine, 4 speed overdrive manual transmission all power and A/C I bought it about six months ago.

Now to the question is last week I heard what sounded like a car cranking over this went on for about 15 minutes, so i went to investigate and i found out it was my Pinto cranking over with out the key being in the ignition. i had to unhook the battery to get it to stop. I called up a Ford dealer and asked them what would cause this. they said they have no idea that car is an out of market antique. I asked the parts stores I have asked everybody. a wrecking yard told me to ask here. So what can cause a 1974 Ford Pinto start cranking over or try to start with out the key being in it and with no person in it? I hook the battery back up and nothing happens then about 24 to 48 hours it starts cranking by its self. and if i take it out of gear it will start but the starter will keep on cranking, but as long as its in gear it wont start. any ideas?

I had the same problem with an old Ford truck. There is a relay under the hood that connects the starter to the positive terminal of the battery, causing it to crank. The relay has probably gone bad and is sticking and pulling in on its own. You are going to have to find a replacement for this relay. I doubt you will find an exact match but any 12v. HEAVY DUTY will probably do the trick. You are just going to have to keep asking around and be willing to do a little backwoods mechanical work. Those old Pintos were great little cars.

Filed under: Antique Car Parts

6 Responses to “1974 Ford Pinto Question?”

carguy0035, on October 21st, 2009 at 2:50 am Said:

The bendix inside the starter is frozen in the start position.

Time for a new starter!!!
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jim bob bo davies, on October 21st, 2009 at 3:38 am Said:

I agree it could be the Bendix or the solenoid "starter relay"

I have a 1984 ford f150 and it didn’t start cranking by itself but i have had the solenoid get stuck on the start position resulting in nonstop cranking and eventually it burned the started before i could get the hot post off the battery
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personal experience
SVOMAN, on October 21st, 2009 at 3:44 am Said:

it’s might be in the ignition switch, try pulling the two small wires off the solenoid when you shut it down..
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ceskazbrovka32, on October 21st, 2009 at 4:09 am Said:

I had the same problem with an old Ford truck. There is a relay under the hood that connects the starter to the positive terminal of the battery, causing it to crank. The relay has probably gone bad and is sticking and pulling in on its own. You are going to have to find a replacement for this relay. I doubt you will find an exact match but any 12v. HEAVY DUTY will probably do the trick. You are just going to have to keep asking around and be willing to do a little backwoods mechanical work. Those old Pintos were great little cars.
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A personal friend, on October 21st, 2009 at 4:58 am Said:

Short circuit in the key lock, short circuit in the starter.
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144289, on October 21st, 2009 at 5:47 am Said:

starter sol. on the fender is stuck
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