starter clicking
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 174
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From: Eustis fl
starter clicking
intermitant on a 01' auto. st arts fine then clicks, sometimes 1 click, sometimes rapid clicks sometimetimes no clicks. Try a few more times then start normal. ALSO, I noticed from previous threads someone mention but a bosch starter to eliminate posablilty of breaking off block ears, whats that all about??? Had my starter tested and it passed, but since the problem is intermitant, I don't trust that result. Any help please?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,138
Likes: 802
From: Espanola New Mexico
The Bosh starter has two long mounting bolts and the GM starter has one long bolt and one short one that may break the ear off the engine block under hydro lock conditions. The one sure fire test is to connect DVM with clip test lead to the switch terminal on starter solenoid and ground and verify 12 volts is there every time you turn the key to start. From what you have described you may have loose battery cable connections at the battery or loose cable connections at the solenoid, or possibly have a solenoid that will need to be replaced.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Plus1 for the solenoid. Check the wires on the solenoid for tightness/corrosion. If that's sat, it most likely going bad.
Here is the schematic. The Theft Deterrent Relay is the heart of the circuit. You can test from there with a meter:
Bill
Here is the schematic. The Theft Deterrent Relay is the heart of the circuit. You can test from there with a meter:
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,138
Likes: 802
From: Espanola New Mexico
Solenoid's can have bad spots, inside the insulator of the solenoid is a big copper washer that is pushed against the terminal where the battery cables are connected and the terminal which sends power to the starter motor itself. Copper is vaporized every time the starter is energized and sometimes that contact is made at the same place on the copper washer.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 315
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
The Bosh starter has two long mounting bolts and the GM starter has one long bolt and one short one that may break the ear off the engine block under hydro lock conditions. The one sure fire test is to connect DVM with clip test lead to the switch terminal on starter solenoid and ground and verify 12 volts is there every time you turn the key to start. From what you have described you may have loose battery cable connections at the battery or loose cable connections at the solenoid, or possibly have a solenoid that will need to be replaced.
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Verdad Gallardo
Moderator, Tech Contributor
Joined: Sep 2013
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From: Cape Coral, Florida
yes yes yes !!!...and while you’re down there get a small wire brush and clean up those terminal ends !!
Last edited by C5 Diag; May 21, 2019 at 07:31 AM.