I have replace my starter 5 times in the last 2 months. Last night I went out to start it up after replacing the starter 3 hours before and I had all my lights on and dash lights/radio on but no turn over. I took the key out and heard the starter still humming for like 1 min. Like it was burning itself out AGAIN… I have a new battery as well. Can I have a short somewhere or the grounding wire have an issue. My mechanic and I are at wits end!
HELP!
In order for the starter motor to hum like you stated the solenoid would have to turned on and the motor to be jammed. This would cause a lot of current flow and most likely damage the cable to the starter. If this is what is going on you need to make sure that the solenoid does not have power going to it to turn it on and also make sure the engine can turn over freely. From what you say the ignition switch may also be making contact to the START position even though it is OFF. It is either that or the solenoid is sticking in the ON position and power isn’t getting to the starter for some reason.
I have seen a case where the main battery cable to the solenoid was screwed down and the stud bolt turned and shorted to the case of the solenoid. This isn’t your trouble though. It would be nice to know what the trouble was with the other starters.
If this is a manual transmission, there is a bushing you have to check. Read the following instructions, entirely, several times: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/repairinfo/repairguide/repairGuideContent.jsp?fromSearchPage=true&pageId=0900c152801bfd9a&partName=Starter&partId=0900c152801bfd9a#top
If you think that changing the starter is too simple a task to require having and using the repair manual, you really should rethink that position.