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

[zambezi]

Have you tried to jump start the car or at least move the crank postion/fly wheel by pushing the car while in gear? If not try that and then try to start it. It seems to me that you've eliminated almost all of the possible electrical issues and might have to look at something mechanical. That heat is getting generated means that power is getting to where it should and with a new starter it should turn the engine over. I dunno though, I hate tracking electrical problems too! This is a simple circuit too, arrgh! I feel your pain.

This happened to me when my starter was going out. The bendix was getting hung up in the extended position and all I could get was the click sound. I tried rocking the car in gear and it would not go (seemed like the motor was locked up). Once I loosened the bolts to remove the starter I heard a thunk as the bendix retracted and I was then able to turn the motor over. I have since changed to a gear reduction starter and never looked back.
JIM