You sure the battery isn't just TU?

Connector.
 

As per several suggestions, did you check the connector?

It's reading 12.4v with the ignition off.

Yes, it's fine.

Hi Christien,

If you want I have an extra starter you can borrow to check. I'm in King City and around all weekend.

John

one of the red wires off the positive battery clamp, or loose? ignition switch loom plug not seated into the cowl plug? crusty connection at the 14 pin engine area plug? you can cross the battery term and the yellow wire term on the solenoid with a screwdriver to see if the starter still works.

Battery Voltage.
 

What does your meter show when you try to start the car?

Are the battery cable tight?

I need to check if there's power going to the starter first before I remove it - removing the starter with the engine in the car is a nightmare. But if I'm getting power, then I'll take you up on that - thanks!

I did check all the wires on the positive battery lead, but just a wiggle test - I'll check them more thoroughly. I did think of the ignition switch loom - I was going to pull it to try jumpering the starter. My ignition switch failed a few years ago, and I replaced it, so I'm familiar with that. Unfortunately, since then, I installed an under-dash coverpiece, so it's not as easy to access, but if it comes to it, I'll pull that off and check the loom. 14-pin connector near the engine fuses is fine - just checked it today.

When you say cross the battery terminal and the yellow wire on the solenoid with a screwdriver, do you mean just jumper these 2 right at the starter?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1351899564.jpg

Huh, waddya know, I checked the positive terminal, made sure all the wires looked tight, then traced those wires to where they disappear into the sheath that runs throughout the car. Turned the key and the starter worked! So, I guess problem solved, but now that makes me think I have a flaky wire somewhere in the front. I'll pull the lead off and clean the terminal really well, even though it looks fine, and I do try to remember to clean the terminals at least once a year.

Thanks for all the help guys!

Well done Christien, well done............

All glad we could help......

Pour yourself a tall one, and jump in.

Gerry

Back to what I said.remove the battery terminal, clean and reattach. Make sure it is tight.
I will give them a little twist to see if it moves. Do the same with the neg.

A bad connection can allow low current devices to work, but the starter requires a large amount
Of current.

The alt has NOTHING to do with the engine turning over. If you connect something like the red wire
Wrong, u will know...in a bad way.

Glad you found it.

I dont understand the physics involved, but I find on my old FJ40 that if the ground wire to the battery isnt CLAMPED on there tight when I turn the key I can hear the solenoid click but the starter wont actually crank. I often disconnect the battery when the truck is in storage and discovered that even if hte clamp is pushed down hard on hte terminal so it feels tight, I get that click but no cranking. I can go over to the terminal again and push it down and get a click but no crank. That drove me crazy, thought I had a dead battery, dead starter, dead ignition switch....nope, just need the terminal crank on there like a vice.

Damn, when I serviced my alternator,I was deathly afraid of those wires as not to damage them.

Glad you solved it, please post if you find any frayed wires.