High torque starter

[Germanblood]

Alright now I am confused. Spent the time and money to replace the starter in my 1986 911 and just like before I replaced it, when the key is turned I just get a "click", Battery is fully charged, ground strap has perfect continuity to ground of vehicle.

After I replaced the starter it started just fine now I go to start it again and "click". Please someone tell me wtf is going on? It is a brand new starter. It can't possibly have failed again!

[Jeff Higgins]

Is this "click" the solenoid activating? If so, check the positive connection to the battery and to the solenoid itself. I assume you cleaned the solenoid end when you replaced the starter, so start with the battery end.

Actually, a quick and easy check is to turn on the headlights and then turn the key to try to start the car. If the headlights dim and the starter doesn't activate, there is likely a short on that heavy positive wire to the starter. Rubbed through the insulation and is grounding out. If the headlights don't dim, it's probably an open circuit, likely caused by corrosion on one of the ends of the positive wire.

[yelcab1]

Stick a volt meter on the battery, when it goes "click," what voltage does it read at the battery?

[917_Langheck]

Which ground strap? There are more than one in the path. What is the condition of the 14 pin plug in the engine bay? Are the contacts clean? What is the voltage drop at the starter?

[Germanblood]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Is this "click" the solenoid activating? If so, check the positive connection to the battery and to the solenoid itself. I assume you cleaned the solenoid end when you replaced the starter, so start with the battery end.

Actually, a quick and easy check is to turn on the headlights and then turn the key to try to start the car. If the headlights dim and the starter doesn't activate, there is likely a short on that heavy positive wire to the starter. Rubbed through the insulation and is grounding out. If the headlights don't dim, it's probably an open circuit, likely caused by corrosion on one of the ends of the positive wire.

Thanks will be checking.

[Germanblood]

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins

Is this "click" the solenoid activating? If so, check the positive connection to the battery and to the solenoid itself. I assume you cleaned the solenoid end when you replaced the starter, so start with the battery end.

Actually, a quick and easy check is to turn on the headlights and then turn the key to try to start the car. If the headlights dim and the starter doesn't activate, there is likely a short on that heavy positive wire to the starter. Rubbed through the insulation and is grounding out. If the headlights don't dim, it's probably an open circuit, likely caused by corrosion on one of the ends of the positive wire.

Haven't tried this yet but will

[Germanblood]

Thanks all. I have multiple things to check. I am sure it is something dumb, but I hate electrical ghosts in the machine. Good Police album though.

[Germanblood]

Originally Posted by 917_Langheck

Which ground strap? There are more than one in the path. What is the condition of the 14 pin plug in the engine bay? Are the contacts clean? What is the voltage drop at the starter?

The ground strap from the tranny mount to the chasis is pristine and ohms out at 0 ohms.

[tobluforu]

Are you sure your battery is in good condition and that you have tested it, not just seen that it is fully charged via the charger. I ask because last year the battery I had that was 6 years old showed fully charged, trickle charger was green and all I got was a click. Swapped a battery from one of my other cars, golden. Like yelcab1, check your battery.

[Ian Comerford]

I went through some of what you are experiencing and ended up changing the ignition switch, which has cured it. It’s a job that can be done in one of two ways and both are described on the forum if you search. I went for removing the driver’s seat and lying in the footwell to change it from the rear. It’s slightly fiddly but not difficult. Hope this helps

[greg79s]

I just finished installing a starter in my 85' Carrera.

Measure the voltage at the small wire (Yellow) . Have a second person turn the key to the start position while you move the wire around. The condition of the wire can be checked near the starter.