Nothing but clicking when starting...

Ok..here is where I'm at so far:

Replaced starter last week and everything was fine until Friday night.
Went to start car an get nothing but clicking. I have fully charged battery. Car starts when push started but not when jump started.

Here is what I've done so far:

Cleaned battery posts and installed new terminals
replaced starter relay on fenderwell
made sure battery was good and even switched to another one

Here's the weird part: When I swapped batteries, it started right up so I shut it off again and tried to restart and got nothing but clicking from relay again! I'm thinking(and hoping) that maybe it;s a lose connection somewhere. Today I am going to check all the grounds and their connections. I'm also going to see if the headlights dim when I turn the key. That should tell me if the starter is hung up at all

Is there anything else I may have missed or could be bad?
I'll keep you posted

The ground to the block sounds iffy...

Plus check for rust or paint under the lead on the starter it's self....

I also forgot to mention that this is my 1988 5.0 mustang (5spd) and not the car in my signature below. I was also wondering if it could be the neutral safety switch on the clutch petal or would I get nothing at all if that was bad? Where is this located anyway?

Also...how do I check grounds with a mulitmeter?

If it clicks, is not the neutral safety switch

You check the grounds by looking at them. Take them apart and clean them up.

Neutral safety switch is built into your T5.

OK you installed new terminal ends but what about the wires themselves? They can corroded under the insulation and not conduct electricity efficiently.

If it's a LIGHT sounding click then you should double check the clutch depression button under the dash..

The system will give you a light click sound if the clutch pedal isn't pushing it in properly.


FE

Originally Posted by FEandGoingBroke

If it's a LIGHT sounding click then you should double check the clutch depression button under the dash..

The system will give you a light click sound if the clutch pedal isn't pushing it in properly.


FE

The clicking is definatly coming from the starter relay. The old relay made repeated clicking sounds(like a dead battry symptom). The new relay just clicks once after the key is turned.

Anyhow, the clicking is coming from the relay.
So, the clutch petal switch could be faulty even thought the the relay clicks when the clutch is pressed in??
Tomorrow I'm going to investigate more deeply. I had plans this afternoon and only poped to hood to look for a quick fix...something obvious.

If the fender relay clicks, the clutch safety switch is good. A new starter isn't necessarily a good one. Try having a friend hold the key in the start position with the clutch in while you tap on the starter with a light hammer or a wrench. If it then starts your starter is definately bad.

Better yet, spend a couple bucks and get yourself a 12v test light. Most electrical problems can be diagnosed with this $3 tool. With the clutch in and the key in the crank position you should have power to both the big and small wires at the starter.