Help I am confused over this issue!!!!

[monteman1978]

I have a 96 E-350 w/a 7.3L. On sat. I want to start the van and it developed a odd issue. It would crank and keep cranking. Even after I pulled the key. The cranking would stop about 10 sec later. I would have white or gray smoke come from the tail pipe. So I replace the solenoid on the starter thinking it was finally done. Still the same issue. So I called a friend for his advice, he said to replace the grounding wire between the body and battery. That 1 of his friends had the same issue and that corrected it. So I did and went inside to do other thing cause I was sick of messing with the van. So sun. morning I went out and tried to start the van and it fired. I tried it 3 more time and on the 3 time it acted up again. So I replace the ignition switch and checked the column to see if the column was the issue and still the same problem. The last time I fired the van up it cranked and cranked and cranked so I figure I should just pull the switch it should stop and guess what it did not. So now the issue is what could be wrong???? I am stumped, I have never run into an issue like this b4. Please help!!!!

Thanks in advance.

[Dirk]

Check the oil level in the HPOP reservoir. It should be an inch or so from the top. Make sure you have good fuel pressure. Take your batteries out and have the checked and charged off the van. If the van is cranking over, it's not the starter.

[monteman1978]

Ok here is more info I found out tonite. She will start after I disconnect the battery for a few mins. Than on the 3rd try back to the same issue. I think it might be the ECM but I do not know how to test it.

[forddieseldoctor]

ok let's see if i understand this- it starts fine but the starter is still engaged after the key is turned back to run?

[monteman1978]

I will try to explain it again please be pacient as I am not good at type this up!

About a week ago I starting having an odd issue. I would try to start the van and it sounded odd so I turned the key to off and it would keep cranking even after I pull the key. So I replace the lower solenoid, the upper solenoid and checked the ignition switch. The column checks out fine also. What I found out after disconnecting both batteries and reconnecting is the van will fire and run correctly. On the 3rd try it grinds than on the 4th try it goes back to the cranking after the key is turned off and removed. As for the grayish white smoke I found out that it is unburnt diesel so i am not worried about that. I just can not figure this out. I have never run across it before. As for the grinding I think the starter is going south.

[Dirk]

Possible issues with the starter bendix not engaging/disengaging. The "continued start" and grinding may be the gear not sliding back after power is cutoff from the solenoid.

I would also check to see if power is being sent to the starter after the key if switched back from the start position to the run position.

[monteman1978]

I did not even think about the starter being that shot. I will check it out tomorrow. I wonder how hard it is to rebuild the starter....

[monteman1978]

Thanks for the help!!!