In the process of getting everything hooked back up. When I connected the battery, the started immediately began running. I pulled the starter and had it tested - no problems.

Gonna try swapping the ignition switch today and see if that resolves the issue. I did just replace the starter relay, so maybe I ought to give that a look as well, in case it was bad out of the box.

Any other ideas? Thanks!

Make sure your relay connections are correct and isolated from each other, if the two major connections are touching, it will start the car.

-D.Idiot

I ran into this issue with my Scout. Check your negative cable/Ground connections. My starter was just rebuilt did the same thing .Replaced cable and cleaned contact areas -Problem solved.

Yep. Connections touching at the relay. Whoops. Thanks for the help, I appreciate it.

Been there done that a time or two (once when I forgot the plastic piece that isolates one of the connections ). You live and learn!

The 'worst case' I've seen was the '67 Signet I had, the previous owner had shorted out some of the wiring somehow and the yellow wire from the starter switch to the relay had fused and melted the wire insulation...it would start the car and keep cranking when the pos battery cable was put in place....after some wiring diagram research and some new wire I solved that one, but it was a pain...

-D.Idiot