My First Setback - SUCCESS!, Looks like a bad starter or solenoid Options

[turk22]

Hey, so it seems like my starter may have crapped out. Worst part is I think its my fault. I went to start the car, the car was in gear, and it engaged, the car moved forward a little (an inch), and I immediately let off the key. Since that moment, when trying to start, I get a loud click from the starter (or the relay?), but nothing else.

After looking at all the related threads, here's what I've done to test:


- Tried to jump the starter from the yellow wire terminal on the solenoid to the positive on the starter with a screwdriver, just got a weak spark, and the starter did nothing.

- Tried to jump the starter from the positive to the negative side with a jumper cable (If I understand correctly the starter should spin, but the flywheel not engage?). Nothing happened, not a sound, click, or anything.

From what I've been reading it seems like a bad starter.

I know there is probably more to test/eliminate to make sure this is starter issue. But electrical is not my strong suit. I have purchased a multimeter.

- I believe that I need to test the voltage from the yellow lead of the solenoid while cranking the engine. Question: Just ground the meter to the tranny case?

The car was starting fine, and after that one incident, never again. I bump started it, and drove around the block a few time (hoping the starter was just stuck or something), but no luck, same click, no start.

What I'm hoping to do, is rule out other possibilites and then I guess order the replacement starter if that's what needed.

Turk

[turk22]

Well not much success today:

I put the battery on a charger last night, it was reading 12.7 across the poles when I got home from work.

Today, I tried running a jumper cable from the negative post on the battery to the starter "mounting bolt" (Jeff, I think that was where I wasn't being clear, not the solenoid bolt, but the bolt that mounts the starter to the engine). Tried to start with the same annoying click, even with this "direct ground".

I was able to check the voltage at the positive bolt on the back of the solenoid, and it was also 12.6 volts.

I removed the battery completly, and the cable that connects the battery to the chassis of the car, and cleaned all the contacts and battery posts. I also removed the tranny ground from the bottom of the trunk, and cleaned that up...but I could not for the life of me remove the tranny strap from the tranny, just could not contort myself to even get a wrench on the bolt.

I attached jumper cables to my daily driver, and tried to start the car, with that cars additonal power, same annoying click.

I was not able to check the voltage at the yellow wire (detached from the solenoid), I need someone else to help with turning key.

I'm kinda depressed now, because I'm really not sure what else I need to check. I have to bump start the car to go to the BMV tomorrow to get the VIN inspection done. I need it to get the Title transferred.

any suggestions welcome, I'm at a loss...

Turk