Sparky needed

[alanpina]

Well here's one I haven't seen before...Initial problem: Starter motor was not disengaging, therefore off-loading it's charge into the wiring behind the steering column...Bought an new starter motor as I suspected that it had just burnt/worn out...Got a moile mechanic to fit it...He suggested that the imobiliser had been fited by a two-bit tinkerer, so he removed the unit and capped off all the wiring. Everything fine...Fired up nicely.

Got the car to the petrol station...Turned the ignition off...When I went to turn it back on again...Nothing...No power to the starter motor, only lot's of smoke from the steering column (this can make pump attendants very nervous, I noticed), so, it looks like the same problem...Starter motor is not disengaging...

...Car's been on a sparky's ramp for over a week and I'm not confident he's got a $£%£ing clue what's going on either.

Anyone had these kind of electrical gremlins before, or know what the cause of the problem might be? Suggestions gratefully appreciated.

[fowler]

sounds like a right mess sk brain moore for some help and some piccies would go a miss

[Brianmoooore]

Sounds like the starter motor's not disengaging because it's still getting power on the black/yellow wire to the medium sized ring terminal.
Could be a short between the black/yellow wire and a live somewhere along its path, a knackered starter switch, or a legacy of the "two bit tinkerer".
There's a single pole plug and socket in the black/yellow wire above the glovebox that you can pull apart to disconnect the wiring from the steering columnside.

[alanpina]

Thanks Brian..I'll pass that on to my local sparky..You abviously know more than he does...Why can't you live in Poole dagnamit!