I have an odd problem and I'm wondering if anyone's seen these symptoms before. Sometimes when I turn the key the car doesn't start, however I can hear the solenoid clicking each time. When it breaks it won't start for a day or two (just clicks), however a few days later it usually turns right over. The last time I had this problem I had a friend check my voltage while I was cranking it and it didn't drop, so I'm thinking it's something wrong with the contacts in the starter or passably the battery cable. I was also cranking it and holding it for ~10 seconds and no voltage drop and the cable didn't get warm at all. Swapped with a brand new battery and still no luck. I've had these exact same problems about 6 months ago and I replaced the starter however it seems odd it would break again so soon. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Jeff

 

At what points did you check for voltage drop? Turn on your headlights and have someone watch them to see if they stay bright or go dim when you try to start.If they dim real bad and you're positive the battery is good then you might have a short in the starter. Did you check the wires at the solenoid/starter to make sure contacts are clean and tight? When you replaced the starter were there any mounting shims on the old one and if so,did you put them on the new one? If not, there may be a bind between the starter gear and flywheel. If there is a safe way, have someone tap on the starter with a hammer, etc, while you are trying to start. Sometimes a replaced starter can go bad in a short time and is highly possible if it is a rebuilt one. Trying to think of some other possibilities. In the meantime maybe someone else will jump in.

 

Thanks for the tips, let me see if I can answer all of your questions. My friend was checking the voltage the whole time, before I turned it over and while I was cranking it. I would expect to see a drop in voltage if the starter was engaging and was mechanically bound up and the lights should dim, etc but that is hot happening in my case although I can say for certain the solenoid was engaging (a loud clunk). That also ties into your other question about the headlights, and yes they were on but they did not dim. I also checked the voltage against the engine and the ground terminal of the battery which I would expect to see voltage if I had a grounding problem but there was nothing as I cranked the engine. I would love to check all the starter connections myself but I can't get to it in my driveway - as I understand I have to drop the exhaust to get to it? Anyways I wouldn't be surprised if the stealership used a rebuilt starter but I just wanted to rule out all of the other possabilities first. Another friendof mine is saying it could be a problem with the security system but I'm doubting that as I would think that would prevent the solenoid from engaging, not power getting to the starter. As far as I know there should be no relays or fuses on that connection at all.

Thanks for your help Eagle! Does anyone have any other advice?
Jeff

 

For what it's worth, I think you have a faulty ground issue. Could be a major one (like the engine ground cable) or a minor one located in the bus grounds on both frame rails in the engine compartment.Chuck.

 

If the starter solenoid is truly engaging,,, you do NOT have a problem with the security system!! I would have to lean toward a BAD STARTER or a bad solenoid! The solenoid makes the electrical connection between the positive battery cable and the starter motor windings!!

If it were MY car,, I would jack up the car to access the starter and use jumper cables or a screw driver to short between the positive battery cable and the connection that goes into the starter. If the starter motor runs,, you have a bad solenoid!

Like PierEagle stated, tap on the starter while someone holds the key over to the start position and see the starter motor will run!

Also,, make sure that all of the electrical connection on the solenoid and starter are clean and tight.

BC

 

Sounds like a bad solenoid to me. But it could be a weak ground.

 

Solenoid

 

Fiddling around on my car on a lift I randomly checked the positive lead to the starter and the nut was loose! Jack it up and Check it out, you don't have to remove the exhaust to do that!!

 

Thanks everyone for the advice, I'll jack it up and check out the leads going to the starter right after work tomorrow if it's not raining. I'll keep ya posted.


Jeff

 

The times I have had the symptoms you described, it was either the ground cable or a bad spot on the motor armature.

The time it was the cable, it looked solid and clean, but would not start intermittently. I replaced the cable, and never had the problem again.

When it was the starter motor, I could tap on the starter and it would eventually start. I replaced the starter and the problem went away.

 

Just a follow up. I got the car lifted in my driveway but because of where the starter sits it looks like I have to drop the passenger side exhaust to get to it. I could see the connections and I tugged a little on the wires to make sure they didnt move and they didn't so I'm guessing they are tight. I also noticed one of my chassis grounds was pretty ugly looking so I think I'll take a wire brush to it tomorrow. Also I double checked my battery connections and retightened my starter power wire (I have aftermarket battery terminals that use top posts). So far so good, it's turned over every single time I've tried. But in the process of all of this mess it looks like I picked up another coolant leak somewhere, so that's another fun project to add to my to do list.

One thing I thought of, if I had a damaged spot on my flywheel it could keep the starter from fully engaging, and it would still make the loud clunk but because the solenoid isnt fully engaged it wouldn't crank. I guess if I do end up replacing the starter I could have them turn over the motor and inspect the flywheel while it's off. Just a thought.

Thanks everyone for your comments/advice/prayers. CF has always been good to me!

Jeff