Auto Parts: 1997 Honda passport starter, starter solenoid, honda passport

Question
QUESTION: Hello.  I recently bought a 1997 Honda Passport 2WD at police auction.  It only has 85000Miles on it.

When we got it home we tried to start it.  It stars fine, but turning it off is a problem.  It sounds like it is continuing to try to start, even with it running.  THe only way to turn it off (even with the key removed) is to disconnect the battery.

Does this sound like something you have heard of before?  Do you happen to know what the fix for it is?

Thank you
Jennifer

ANSWER:      The clue here is "police auction."  Someone hot-wired the car.  The wiring they used to bypass the ignition key switch is probably still in place, the cops have no reason to worry about it.  Get someone who is familiar with these cars to look at the wiring under the dash where the switch connects, and under the hood.  If they are Honda mechanics they will spot the wire used to short out the switch and can remove it.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi there.  We checked it out, and it does not look like it has been hot-wired.  Any other thoughts on this?

Thank you
Jennifer

Answer
    Another possibility is that the starter solenoid has a short.  On a vehicle this old there is usually a circuit built into the starter that bypasses the ignition resistor when cranking.  If it is shorted the ignition remains energized even when the key is off.  You can check it by putting a test light on the positive post of the coil while it is running (it should light up).  When the key is turned off, the light should go out.  If it doesn't, then the starter solenoid is probably shorted out.  You could check the starter on the bench to verify this, then buy a rebuilt one (solenoids for Japanese starters cost roughly the same as a whole rebuilt starter).