Basically, I tried to start my truck after replacing the ring gear. I turned the key and started to crank the engine over and the starter wouldn't stop turning. I turned the key all the way off and the starter kept going. I put my foot on the brake and basically stalled it on purpose to stop it from turning then my buddy disconnected the battery. He says there were sparks and fire coming out from under my truck. Any ideas?

 

Stuck starter solenoid. 9 times out of ten it fries the starter before you can stop it.

Depending on year make and model the solenoid can either be on the starter or not. Since your driving a geo tracker i suggest getting a new car. Or how about some info of what vehicle we are taking about here.

 

sorry..
It's an 86 ranger 4x4. It can't be the solenoid. I've changed 3 starters and it still does it. The original starter only had one lead coming off of it. It goes from the coil to the starter motor. I've checked the ground, it's tight. Is there supposed to be another wire from the soledoid?

 

IIRC, the solenoid is not part of the starter in that year. Its on the fender.

The "coil" is most likely the solenoid.

My mom had an 88 Taurus, that red little piece of **** fried 3 starters and one battery.

A buddy had one lock up on his 7.3 f350. Melting the contacts inside the starter leaving a pool of molten metal on the ground.

 

That would make sense. I thought the solenoid was the piggy back part on the starter that makes the pinion engage the ring gear then retract again. or if the "coil" made the starter do it all in one step that would make more sense. Thanks a lot, I chased the problem around for too long.