Dear Jim,

The other day in traffic, I noticed that the engine in my 1980 Chevy Camaro (3.8L, V6) sounded very strange. When I pulled over and popped the hood, I could see that the starter motor was still running even though the car was already on.

I've never seen this happen, but I did have the starter rebuilt last fall. Could they have accidentally done something then to make it go bad now?

-- Ron Little

It's possible that your starter has gone bad, bro, but it's probably not related to the rebuild.

These units are never meant to run for more than a couple of seconds at a time. If it's burned out at this point, that's too bad, because the starter probably was fine until it got hit with a problem that came from somewhere else: the ignition switch.

Any time a starter motor is still running once the engine is on, it means it's still getting power when it shouldn't be. That power comes through the ignition switch.

Basically, some circuit in there is stuck in the "on" position, and that's what's causing the starter motor to keep running. Get that ignition switch replaced and have your starter checked for damage.

While we're on the subject, here's something else to watch out for: Don't put off getting a new battery when you can tell the one you have is getting weak.

Sure, you might be able to successfully fire up the engine, but each time you do, it's murder on your starter. If it's getting low amperage from the battery, then it has to work much, much harder to crank up the engine.

Not only can this burn out the motor, like the continuous running we were just talking about, but it can also over-amp your alternator and burn out its diodes -- that's bad.

Anyway, bro, here's the bottom line: Ignition switch malfunctions do happen, as you're seeing with your Camaro, but the best way to avoid overtaxing and burning out your starter motor is to make sure any battery you're using is charged up to the task.

Tip of the Week:

Drivers, I tend to see a whole lot of burned-out starters in machines that sit for long periods with their batteries draining. That means cars and trucks, but also seasonal vehicles such as boats and motorhomes. Keep that in mind next time you're starting up a little-used engine, and replace those batteries pronto.

Buffalo Jim, owner of Allstate Auto & Marine Repair in Las Vegas, writes a weekly column. Send your automotive questions to him at buffalojim@lasvegasniftynickel.com. If Jim picks your question to answer in Nuts & Bolts, you'll also be the proud recipient of a deck of official Buffalo Jim playing cards, presented in a classy, tin box bearing his hairy image.