Had issue the other day when I tried to start jeep and it kept cranking even after I let go of key......luckily it didn't actually fire before it stopped. Kind of panicked and jiggled the hell out of the Ignition Lock and it stopped.
Next Day I replaced the turn signal switch and the ignition lock which I had already ordered a while ago. When I put the cable back on battery started immediately started cranking with no key in it
So I thought starter solenoid was faulty....replaced it and all seemed well for 3-4 days. I just went out and tried to start jeep...cranked VERY slow like battery was dead and kept slow cranking even when I turned key off. I've got the battery on a charger now as it was indeed dead.
This sure sounds like a 12V short of some sort with the starter wire from key yes? I'm going out tonight to trace down things.
1976 Cherokee Chief w/ 360
PowerMaster XS High Torque Starter installed a year ago
power/starter wire (green) connected to S on Solenoid
Positive battery terminal run to solenoid....other solenoid post directly to starter.
cant think of what else would cause the solenoid to stay on when key off
thanks, Joe