Starter/Solenoid Switch Clicking

Quick background: Well, I am trying to move the car out of the garage so that I can move another car in to work on it for the weekend (neighborhood association does not seem to like it when I tear cars apart in the driveway). I have not had time to adjust the carb on the car, so when I get it started, it usually dies.

Now for the problem, the battery is fairly dead, but I have jumper cables and a jump box. I hooked up the jump box and the car started just fine... Car ran fine until I let off the gas. Started it about 3-4 more times. Around the 5 time when I turn the key to start it, I just get a clicking from the solenoid switch on passenger fender area. I just went and bought a new one and installed it and it still does the same thing, even if I jump directly off of a known good battery (or with the jump box or off a running vehicle). What could cause this that allows it to start the first few times and then no longer after that (until it sits for a long time)?

I tried searching on information on the solenoid switch but it seems most are talking about getting nothing at all when turning the key. I do actually get clicking from the solenoid switch.

I think your battery is not holding a charge and/or your alternator is not charging it. The solenoid is probably fine. It's just that the battery doesn't have enough juice to start it more than a few times. I'd get the battery checked. It's probably bad. If it is okay, then look at the alternator.

JMO,

paulie

Dead or close to dead battery will give you that clicking noise...another culprit is dirty connections. Check and clean your battery cables good, anywhere there is a connection, look for corrosion or just dirt, clean them up good and when you put a new battery in there, it should work fine.

Mike

But shouldnt it at least work with the jumper cables/jump box? Even if it was the battery? I guess I am going to need one when I start driving it anyway...

My first guess would be poor terminal connections second would be a bad battery.

Just had this happen to my car. Ended up being a loose connection on my starter.
Check all your connections if you verified the battery and solenoid are good.
Double check all grounds!

You didn't mention what year/size of motor. The older starters are very sensitive to the voltage output from the battery. If you're not putting exactly the correct amount of power to the starter, it won't turn. I've had an instance where I had to try to jump my car, but it wouldn't start (the solenoid would just click). I had to put the battery on a charger until it got a good charge.

I suspect that even with a jump, your battery isn't putting out enough power to turn the starter. (which also may be why it worke the first couple times, and now it doesn't. The battery could be just too drained or worn out.) Try putting the battery on a charger to get a full charge, then give it a try. If your battery won't hold any charge, you'll have to put in a new, or good, battery.

As mentioned, always double check your connections to make sure that's not the problem.

Also, try running a new wire from the starter to the solenoid. The old wire could be causing to much resistance and preventing enough power to turn the starter.

Whoops... Sorry, I need to add that to my sig...

'68 Montego 302 2v

I will get a new battery and check all my connections after I get this Blazer out of my garage. (Finally got the Montego out of the garage and into the driveway).

Thanks for everyones help.