Pipe
Please help!! Click Click Click when starting.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 246
Likes: 3
From: St. peters Missouri
Please help!! Click Click Click when starting.
Hi all!
I have a 1993 40th.. (automatic) All stock
A new battery was put in less then a year ago.. The car been running great... I went to start it yesterday and it would just click click click click click.. Battery tests fine and is fully charged.. Everything comes on, (radio, air, etc...) just wont turn.. I am thinking the alternator but wanted other peoples oppinion.. As it is stuck in my garage, Not wanting to have it towed, possibly fix it myself???
any ideas would be GREAT appreciated!
Thanks
Bryan
I have a 1993 40th.. (automatic) All stock
A new battery was put in less then a year ago.. The car been running great... I went to start it yesterday and it would just click click click click click.. Battery tests fine and is fully charged.. Everything comes on, (radio, air, etc...) just wont turn.. I am thinking the alternator but wanted other peoples oppinion.. As it is stuck in my garage, Not wanting to have it towed, possibly fix it myself???
any ideas would be GREAT appreciated!
Thanks
Bryan
Last edited by bpdfs; Mar 2, 2012 at 11:15 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
The alternator has nothing to do with starting. If the battery is known to be good and fully charged you either have a loose connection, a corroded connection, or a problem in the starter itself.
Check your battery cables to make sure they are clean and tight both at the battery AND at the chassis. Do the same at the starter.
Check your battery cables to make sure they are clean and tight both at the battery AND at the chassis. Do the same at the starter.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 246
Likes: 3
From: St. peters Missouri
The alternator has nothing to do with starting. If the battery is known to be good and fully charged you either have a loose connection, a corroded connection, or a problem in the starter itself.
Check your battery cables to make sure they are clean and tight both at the battery AND at the chassis. Do the same at the starter.
Check your battery cables to make sure they are clean and tight both at the battery AND at the chassis. Do the same at the starter.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 310
Likes: 47
About 10 years ago the starter in my 1991 froze up. Not sure how I diagnosed it other than it just would not turn the engine over. The tow truck driver said that he could get it freed up by banging on it with a hammer. He tried but nothing happened. Turned out it was the starter. For me, the starter worked one day fine and not the next. Go figure. The starter in the 1991 is a bit different than the standard small black variety (I believe is has an aluminum housing). Maybe that could have something to do with freezing up.
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Looks tight or is tight? What about the engine to chassis grounds?
Also how do you know the battery is good? Yes it's fairly new and you say it is fully charged, but is it maintaining that charge under a load?
Any auto parts store can load test your battery and they can test your starter for free.
Also how do you know the battery is good? Yes it's fairly new and you say it is fully charged, but is it maintaining that charge under a load?
Any auto parts store can load test your battery and they can test your starter for free.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 2,240
Likes: 42
From: Baltimore, MD USA
Inside the starter is a copper disc that bridges two copper lugs to transfer 12 volts to the starter motor. The copper disc and lugs eventually pit and make poor contact.
The noise you're hearing is the solenoid plunger pressing against
the two copper lugs.
If your battery and cables are good take a look at the starter.
You can purchase the parts on-line (such as ebay) or remove the starter and file the copper disc and lugs so they make better contact.
On some solenoid plungers you can flip the copper disc and
use the backside.
Watch the video link below. It the describes the problem and repair.
Only simple hand tools needed for the repair.
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html
The noise you're hearing is the solenoid plunger pressing against
the two copper lugs.
If your battery and cables are good take a look at the starter.
You can purchase the parts on-line (such as ebay) or remove the starter and file the copper disc and lugs so they make better contact.
On some solenoid plungers you can flip the copper disc and
use the backside.
Watch the video link below. It the describes the problem and repair.
Only simple hand tools needed for the repair.
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html
Last edited by Hooked on Vettes; Mar 2, 2012 at 12:46 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 246
Likes: 3
From: St. peters Missouri
Looks tight or is tight? What about the engine to chassis grounds?
Also how do you know the battery is good? Yes it's fairly new and you say it is fully charged, but is it maintaining that charge under a load?
Any auto parts store can load test your battery and they can test your starter for free.
Also how do you know the battery is good? Yes it's fairly new and you say it is fully charged, but is it maintaining that charge under a load?
Any auto parts store can load test your battery and they can test your starter for free.
The battery is brand new, Not even 50 miles driven on it yet.. Everything is tight, I just checked it all out...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 246
Likes: 3
From: St. peters Missouri
Inside the starter is a copper disc that bridges two copper lugs to transfer
12 volts to the starter motor. The copper disc and lugs eventually pit
and make poor contact.
The noise you're hearing is the solenoid plunger pressing against
the two copper lugs.
If your battery and cables are good take a look at the starter.
You can purchase the parts on-line (such as ebay) or remove the starter and file the copper disc and lugs so they make better contact.
On some solenoid plungers you can flip the copper disc and
use the backside.
Here's a video that describes the problem.
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html
12 volts to the starter motor. The copper disc and lugs eventually pit
and make poor contact.
The noise you're hearing is the solenoid plunger pressing against
the two copper lugs.
If your battery and cables are good take a look at the starter.
You can purchase the parts on-line (such as ebay) or remove the starter and file the copper disc and lugs so they make better contact.
On some solenoid plungers you can flip the copper disc and
use the backside.
Here's a video that describes the problem.
http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
I know it sounds like I'm trying to be an ***, but I assure you I am not. The problem is most likely the starter itself, but you can't assume that just because something is new that it is not your problem.
If you can get under your car, remove the starter, it's 2 bolts. Take it and the battery to a parts store and have them test them both for you. If either one is bad, then you'll know for sure. If they both test good, then you have another problem.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 246
Likes: 3
From: St. peters Missouri
Brand new doesn't mean good, nor does it mean fully charged.
I know it sounds like I'm trying to be an ***, but I assure you I am not. The problem is most likely the starter itself, but you can't assume that just because something is new that it is not your problem.
If you can get under your car, remove the starter, it's 2 bolts. Take it and the battery to a parts store and have them test them both for you. If either one is bad, then you'll know for sure. If they both test good, then you have another problem.
I know it sounds like I'm trying to be an ***, but I assure you I am not. The problem is most likely the starter itself, but you can't assume that just because something is new that it is not your problem.
If you can get under your car, remove the starter, it's 2 bolts. Take it and the battery to a parts store and have them test them both for you. If either one is bad, then you'll know for sure. If they both test good, then you have another problem.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 246
Likes: 3
From: St. peters Missouri
currently car is off.. Battery dead now, tried messing with it.. I dont knwo what wrong......
but car is off and i here click click click click under the passenger side glove box??? what the heck is that?
but car is off and i here click click click click under the passenger side glove box??? what the heck is that?
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 246
Likes: 3
From: St. peters Missouri
dont know.. Didnt take it out, to do it..
I looked at the fuse block right behind it.. The fuses are dusty white like some corrosion.. I think the car is in bad shape, Im going to have it towed..
I looked at the fuse block right behind it.. The fuses are dusty white like some corrosion.. I think the car is in bad shape, Im going to have it towed..