Can someone help? I have a 1990 Savage that has about 27,000 kilometers and has been quite trouble free until now. The problem is that the starter motor will not stop !!!   Really !  Turn off ignition switch, ... hit the kill switch....play with starter button, nothing stops the stater motor, until the battery dies. I tried cleaning up the ignition switch with some penetrating oil, but that didn't help. I can't see any apparent short circuits. What could cause this problem? Anyone have any ideas?.

Thanks !....is that the drivers seat or passenger seat? I think I found it ..behind the ignition switch and bolted to the fender under the drivers seat, cylindrical part with rubber boots over it?. There is also a part with wires farther back that is bolted to the fender under the passenger seat, and has fins on it, like a heat sink, but I don't think that is the solenoid. Am I on the right track?

Remember to check to see if the wire that energizes (engages) the relay has power all the time.  If it does, then the timer/controller thing-a-ma-bob is bad.

If not,  take something solid and tap the realy (solenoid) and see if it releases.

Mine was sticking a while ago- every time I engaged the clutch it would whir.  Turned out the starter button on the right hand controls had stuck.  I took the screws out, freed it up and have had no problems since.