Engine starts too early

[Bassin]

Hi all! I have a 2000 7.3 Excursion with about 147k. While idling in the driveway for 3-4 minutes tonight i suddenly heard a loud persistent sound as if air blowing from a hose. I turned the truck off and there was a "whinning sound" which took about 7-8 second to die off which never occurs. When trying the restart the engine I turned the key and waited for the normal "wait to start" light to go off before cranking. To my surprise after 2 seconds or so the engine started up by itself without me making the final turn of the key. The process has repeated itself several times now when trying to start the engine and the loud "blowing sound" persists as well. Any thoughts would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Zander's 5.8]

Test the small wire connected to your starter for power when the key is not in the crank position. This will tell you whether the problem is in the trucks electrical system, or in the starter. It's most likely in the starter.

[erbilabuc]

sounds like your starter relay might be bad or on the fritz of getting there.

[ZombieWeinerDog]

that air noise is almost surely your EBPV.

[raw109]

^^^ I second that. You can tap the brake, or the accelerator pedal and that noise should go away.