WE HAVE START!

[jdbubb at verizon.net (Dan Bubb)]

The only things I can thing of that'll run without the engine running are:
Frequency valve (as mentioned by Daun)
cooling fan ( I imagine you'd notice that!), the one thing that is supposed to run without the ignition on if the engine's hot enough.
Heater fan? 
Windshield washer pump
Starter motor!

I'd think you'd be able to tell if it was most of those things simply by where the sound was coming from.
I'm wondering if something's up with the starter though.
I think the first thing I would do would be to remove the big + cable from the starter solenoid. Be very careful that the end doesn't touch anything by wrapping it in tape. Then connect the battery. Everything else in the car is powered via a smaller cable attached to the battery + so if whatever it is is still running you know it isn't the starter.
If the starter is somehow getting current directly from the battery, not via the solenoid, then the starter motor will run without engaging the flywheel.
I guess I'm focusing on the starter because for some reason mine engaged while I was driving the car. By the time I could drive the 1/2 mile or so home and pull the wire off the solenoid, the starter was a hot stinking mess!
Most of the other things I can think of, with the notable exception of the starter motor, are designed to run continuously and wouldn't get overly hot or smelly from running a short while.
Congratulations on your perseverance and your success starting your car!
Dan

From: "Lexan Blanchard" <lexan_122874@hotmail.com>
To: <scirocco-l@scirocco.org>
Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 2:07 PM
Subject: WE HAVE START!


> For all those who have been following the no-start-saga, the car has 
> officially been started (even if only briefly).
> 
> Got the darned starter bushing out yesterday (after breaking a 1/2" tap in 
> half, having to get the broken tap out, oh the joy), and the new one in with 
> no problems (thanks to putting it into the freezer for an hour).  FYI, those 
> who suggested I change the bushing were absolutely correct: when I got it 
> out, it was oddly-shaped and the side that was farthest in was 
> disintegrated.
> 
> Got the new starter on, battery charged and re-installed, and cranked her 
> up.  KAAAAPOW!  Sweet, sweet ignition!  Then she cut off :(  and some 
> mysterious item kept running.  I jumped out and disconnected the battery 
> (because a car explosion inside the farm building would definitely get my 
> car evicted and we would both be hanging outside in the cold cold weather).
> 
> After all that excitement, I decided some celebratory retail therapy was in 
> order, so off to the mall and best buy/circuit city.
> 
> OK, now, here is the new dilemma...  Just went to try to start again, and 
> when I hooked up the battery, the mystery component is still running (and 
> yes, the battery sparked at me when i connected and disconnected).  
> Definitely coming from the engine compartment, and sounds like a very loud 
> hummmmm.  This item has not done this before yesterday's ignition, even 
> though many attempts have been made at starting the car.  Also, there is a 
> smell that came with the sound, sorta dirty burning, like the first time you 
> turn on your heater or a/c in the house (with a heat pump) after not using 
> it for several months.
> 
> Here are the things I did when changing the starter, in case this helps a 
> diagnosis:
> 1.  Obviously, replaced starter and bushing.  Put wires back per diagram in 
> Bentley.
> 2.  Disconnected and reconnected some hoses that impeded starter work.
> 3.  Disconnecetd and reconnecetd fan connections.
> 4.  Discovered and replaced bad fuse in panel (interior light).
> 
> Any help is appreciated.
> 
> Thanks!
> Lexan
> 
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