Starter issue

[trippbannister]

While trying to impress someone this morning, I took a corner a bit hard (not too hard, of course, just hard). Halfway through, the starter enganged and wouldn't turn off until I disconnected the battery. Everytime I connected it again, on came the starter. I could only continue to drive after disconnecting and taping off the big brown wire that goes to the starter, and popping the clutch.

What gives?

Coincidently, I have been trying to track down a slow battery discharge (by slow I mean one that takes a few days until I have a no-start situation). I have determined the leak is nothing downstream of the fuses, but haven't been able to figure out anything beyond that. I guess it could be something on the starter circuit. Are these two issues related?

Thanks

Tripp

[mbouse]

sounds like a bad starter solenoid

[So Cal Mark]

low voltage can cause a starter to stay engaged after cranking, but it can't engage on its' own. If you remove the small spade connector wire to the solenoid does it still crank? If not, then somewhere you're getting current to the solenoid without the key in the start position

[trippbannister]

I went out to check on the red wire, reconnected everything, and it works as it should now. Guess I'll leave it for now and see if it happens again.