Starter wont disengage sometimes

[olymunch]

So first the starter solenoid would just click and then after a while the car would start, replaced the starter solenoid, cleaned all the connections, installed new ground cable, worked fine. Now out of the blue I go to turn it over and for the first three turns of the key nothing, and I mean nothing, no clicks no sound at all, then I hit the key again and it starts right up but the starter wont disengage! I hit the key a couple times and finally it stopped. Then I turned the key again and it fired right up???

I'm guessing it has something to do with something inside of the steering column?

I took it to jeep after I bought it so they could check it out and they told me that I needed a idle stop solenoid and the choke was stuck. In order to shut it off when its warm I have to pop a gear after taking the key out, 5-speed. does this have anything to do with it?

Also, anyone know where to get a idle shut off solenoid? As best I can tell its the ES87 idle stop solenoid? Can anyone verify this as there is one for $55?
Thanks!

[shanebo]

could be a relay but everytime that has happened to me it was caused by a the starter gear and or fly wheel being damaged or just plain gunked up causing them to bind up thus not allowing the starter to diengage...I would check the relay fist..if its good pop off the starter and check that...if both are ok it almost has to be the flywheel....One way to check the relay is when it doesnt disengage disconnect the relay and it should disigage immediatly if it is the relay to blame.

[olymunch]

The starter is brand new, where is the relay?
So prob not the idle shutoff?

[BenM]

It could be that you got a bad solenoid (relay) or starter.

I would try a different battery or see if there is corrosion in the wires going to the battery. A solenoid can stick on if the battery is weak (had that happen a couple of times), but if the battery is good corrosion that has worked inside the cables or between the cables and lugs can create a lot of resistance.

I had a hard-to-start car that melted the ground cable out of the terminal clamp due to internal corrosion, and the cable was only a couple of years old. I put a new terminal clamp on and it has worked ever since.

[IowaEagle]

If its an I-6 then the starter relay on the inner fender.  The positive cable goes right to it.  Make sure you get the right one for an auto or manual transmisson.