Nothing but clicking when starting...

Ok...since I had NOBODY to help me do the test...I just went out and replaced the negative battery cable AND the starter cable....and STILL just clicking! I even put my old relay back on it same thing happens. So..it MUST be the "new" starter...right? All the grounds were checked and double checked. The only variable left is the starter.
If it was made in China like everything else is now a days it wouldn't surprise me at all!

FWIW...I hooked the starter up to my batter charger to test it and I did nothing. Unless a 10amp charger is not enough to turn it over....

Originally Posted by 82GT

FWIW...I hooked the starter up to my batter charger to test it and I did nothing. Unless a 10amp charger is not enough to turn it over....

I would say yes, the starter is bad.

First off, I stand by my statement regarding those test lights!
As for the solenoid, did you try jumping the solenoid? I would try jumping the battery cable side of the solenoid to the starter cable side of the solenoid using a plier or some other heavy metallic object. If you use thin wire it will get hot fast. If it cranks by jumping the solenoid you have either a bad solenoid or a problem in the start circuit itself. If it still clicks then I would guess you have a problem with the starter since you have already changed the cable and verified you have a good ground. It could be a bad starter or the bendix is hanging up.

Originally Posted by 60smuscle

First off, I stand by my statement regarding those test lights!
As for the solenoid, did you try jumping the solenoid? I would try jumping the battery cable side of the solenoid to the starter cable side of the solenoid using a plier or some other heavy metallic object. If you use thin wire it will get hot fast. If it cranks by jumping the solenoid you have either a bad solenoid or a problem in the start circuit itself. If it still clicks then I would guess you have a problem with the starter since you have already changed the cable and verified you have a good ground. It could be a bad starter or the bendix is hanging up.

Yep...tried that. So far, I have a new solenoid, starter cable, negative ground cable, new battery terminals, verified battery was good, checked my all my grounds. I'm testing the starter tonight with a multimeter like somone mentioned earlier. I tried to test it with a battery charger but I dont think that has enough current to to energize a starter.

Originally Posted by 82GT

new battery terminals,

Your new cables should have had ends on them??? If your using those clamp on ends those are prob your prob....
Take a running car and put jumper cables on .... Put the + one to the battery side of the silinoid and the - to the motor.. and try the key.. or touch the + cable to the starter side of the silinoid and see if it engages.
tim

If its clicking its NOT the starter.. its the silinoid not getting enough power to engage..

Actually....we were ALL wrong! Tonight I took the "new" starter back to have them test it and it worked fine on their bench. I told the guy I was puzzled now because I had replaced EVERYTHING else in the starting circuit.
He said I should have my battery tested as well. I just so happened to have the battery with me so I went out and brought it in for them to test and what do you know.....it was shot!
So I bought one of their new batteries, took it home, put the started back in and it fired right up!

Before, when I tested the battery myself, I put it on the charger and the ammeter when back down to 3-4 amps and I assumed it was "OK"
Last night, I also discovered my positive battery terminal was cracked almost all the way through which is why when I swapped batteries before from my '82GT it started once but not again.

Anyway....it was the battery and now I have all these new parts I never really needed.....lol

Glad it's finally fixed )

You stated in your first post that you tried another battery and it didn't help.

Sounds like you had multiple problems. Probably a bad battery and a bad connection??

Maybe battery #2 was bad also??

Maybe during your diagnosis you damaged your battery by prying on the post??

Anyhow, glad your up and running again.

suppose at least you know your car has all those new parts now and if there are any problems in future youll have a heap of spares - sort of reminds me of my resent ignition problem=too much cash spent