Starter clicks, but won't turn over...

springer · 10-18-2002, 10:38 AM

Okay so I got my engine in and have everything hooked up that should be in order to start it up. Problem now is when I try and start it all I hear is the starter click and then nothing. Anyone have any ideas as to what could be the culprit?

Here's a pic. I'll try to shoot some better ones later on.

dickster · 10-18-2002, 10:53 AM

nice

i'd check the battery first - is it fresh??

weber92037 · weber92037's Garage

Sounds like a daead battery. Check voltage. It should read around 12.5. When you turn the key to start, voltage should not drop below about 10.5. Check for good clean connections.

springer · 10-18-2002, 11:08 AM

Battery is good. Just took it in to have it charged and it charged up fully. I also checked connections and everything looked pretty clean and tight. I'm a bit stumped.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

back in the day, I recall having to crawl under the car (my bug) and bang on either the starter or solenoid when this happened. The technical explanation was it "got hung up".

springer · 10-18-2002, 11:14 AM

Does the wiring on my starter look correct?

marcesq · marcesq's Garage

If the battery checks out, and the solenoid still clicks, take a 22mm socket to the fan nut and turn the engine in the CLOCKWISE direction a full turn.

Check ground strap from tranny mount to chassis.

If you still get a clicking jack up the right side (use jack stands of course)and wack the starter with a hammer while someone tries to start the car. If the it still clicks starter is shot.

If it turns over, you might get some more milage out of the starter, but who knows how long.

Good luck.

dickster · 11:19 AM

well the click means you've got power going where it should, so either theres not enough available (bad battery) or theres a bad connection.

check the connects are good, earths etc.

the battery may be charged but that doesn't mean its good - might have a dead cell. swap with a good known one or have it tested.

or (and i doubt it) the starter is playing up.

you can bypass the selonoid by bridging the terminals, but might not be easy in the car.........

marcesq · marcesq's Garage

Bob:

Can't see the pictures for some reason.

2 wires to the solenoid. One small one on small terminal, and one from the battery. The one from the battery goes on the terminal closest to the tire.

Another possible problem is the 14 pin connector. Unplug and replug a couple of time to insure that the contact is good as there is a wire in there that goes to the solenoid

springer · 10-18-2002, 11:21 AM

marcesq,

You might have nailed it with the ground strap, hate to admit it but I pretty sure I don't have the ground strap on. I'll try that and let you know.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by marcesq
If you still get a clicking...wack the starter with a hammer

Ha! Confirmation from someone that knows something. I knew I wasn't just doing this as a result of some drug-induced hallucination. Seems like lack of use would make this type of therapy more necessary.

marcesq · marcesq's Garage

Nostatic:

You are too kind, but what you don't know is that I fix everything that doesn't work right with a hammer.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

hammer...vice grips...plastic explosives. It's all good.

Neilk · 10-18-2002, 11:54 AM

Bob,

If the battery does have a full charge and your grounds are fine, try "bumping" the starter. I have a "dead" spot on my starter where the starter will not engage. If I put the car in 3rd gear and rock the car back and forth a couple of times, I can get the car to start. Apparently the motion moves the starter brushes away from the dead spot.

It's worked for me, give it a try. Good luck.