So just did an engine replament on my 03 mcs. Started it up, drove down the block and back to make sure everything was going smooth, no problems except it had a noise from the breaks so i pulled it back into the shop to check if maybe the dust covers were touching the rotors and shut it off. I went to start it up again and turn the wheel, and there was a flash near the starter and then it wouldn't disengage until I pulled a battery cable. Now it's acting like there is a short and Everytime I try to hook the battery back up, the starter engages with or without key in and without the clutch switch engaged. Looked around the starter and power steering motor and can't see anything that would indicate fried fires or a short to ground. Anyone else have a simar issue before and can maybe help?

 

I think the Starter motor relay / solenoid is stuck / jammed / shorted.

 

The most economic sentence ever covering all the possible problems here.

It does not matter if we ever ran into this problem. The problem is so obvious as MV Peters so succinctly covered.

 

Problem with that is that when I pull the fuse for the starter, the battery still acts like there is a short in the system and arks

 

What is the amp rating or color of the fuse you are pulling?
If it's a low rating, 15 or 20A, it's for the solenoid alone.
If it's huge, then it might be for the starter, but they are not generally fused.
I suspect the solenoid is stuck, providing current directly from the battery to the starter motor.

Disconnect the big lead from the starter (don't let the bare end touch anything) so the starter won't turn.
Then try to get the solenoid to click backward & forwards (or replace it).

 

I'm pulling a 50A

 

I am very sure the starter does not have a fuse you can pull. There might be a fuseable link that is built into the thick red cable that you cannot change. You need to disconnect the battery, and carefully remove the starter to have it check out. Your symptom is shorted starter motor. I am not a all knowing prophet so there is a chance I am wrong.

 

I just dug out my Hayne's manual.
It's not much help. The only relevant fuse is a 50A ignition fuse, probably the one you pulled.

I still think it's a stuck solenoid. A little tapping with a hammer might free it off.
Otherwise, remove either just the solenoid or the entire starter motor & bench-test it.

 

Here is the starting wiring diagram from 2006 model year. The 50A fuse is just for the solenoid. The starter connects directly to the battery with the cable capable of circa 100A. I am quite sure you cannot remove the solenoid alone. Out comes the starter is the ticket to trouble shoot this.

 

Disconnected the started, battery still arks. Disconnected the power steering motor, doesn't ark. Plugged the ignition fuse back in and the starter doesn't engage when the battery is connected anymore. Left the power steering motor unplugged and there is no issue with the battery asking.

 

Long distance diagnosis is difficult, at best.

But the car starts & runs OK now?
Just no power steering, so it looks as though that's where the problem is.

 

For advanced electrical debugging. Get a real DC clamp meter and learn how to use one would have saved you a lot of grief. I had a post on a good one somewhere on black friday deals.

 

That's why I said I am no prophet, though I am seldom wrong.

 

Yep starts and runs just fine with the power steering unplugged local u pull has one for $17 with $5 core charge so might stop by and grab that today.

 

Cleaned the pigtail and plug with electrical clean, plugged it in all the way, and haven't had a single issue since.

 

Going to move you to the Stock Problems/Issues section.

Glad you got the issue resolved.