I have learned a lot of things lurking in the forum but have never posted because I usually can find the answers to my questions in the archives. But can't find a solution to this one. I have a 1992 LT1 with 48k miles on it with no mods, which has recently started making a clicking noise when starting the engine. I have never had a problem with the engine not starting even with the clicking noise. The clicking is not very noticable when I the engine is cold, but can be heard after the engine is restarted after reaching a steady state temperature around 200 degrees. I made the automatic assumption that the starter/solinoid is going bad and pulled it off the car and ran it on the bench with no load expecting to hear that noise, but it ran perfectly. I tore it apart anyhow to check the contacts and everything looked to be in excellent condition. I have reinstalled and the clicking is still there. The clicking sounds as though it is comming from the starter when I poked my head under the car and started it. It does not sound like a relay behind the dash from the vats. The noise sort of sounds like a very loud relay rapidly clicking. I cleaned the elecrical contacts on the battery which is one month old and to the starter terminals which did not help. My only guess is that the starter is making the noise only when it is under a load to crank the engine and thus is on it's way to eventually not working. Has anyone here had this problem and if so what was your solution? If I need to replace the starter which is my guess, where is a good place to get one? I have found the best prices at gmpartsdirect.com is there anywhere else? Thanks

 

You may want to take the starter off again and bring it to Pep Boys or Advanved Auto or Auto Zone...they can test it for you. Free...You may want to try here http://www.rockauto.com/ for a good price

 

yeah I agree I am still convinced that something is wrong with the starter, I think that I will try having them test the starter. I should probably not worry about it untill it starts to malfunction but Im too **** to leave it alone :crazy:

 

Nope, I replaced the starter and it still clicks, I think that it is the start enable relay going bad. Any ideas?

 

If the starter engages, you probably shouldn't be able to hear the starter relay--It's really pretty quiet. I'm wondering if the clicking noise is coming from the teeth on your flywheel clicking against the gear in the starter. Or possibly your solenoid is going spastic because it isn't getting enough power--which could be several things including a bad starter relay.