No starting, just a click [Archive] - Chevelle Tech

: No starting, just a click


39ratrod
Apr 22nd, 08, 9:23 PM
I can't figure out what might be wrong. Most times when I try to crank my car when I turn the key it just clicks. After 20 or more clicks it will turn over and crank just fine. I have replaced the starter, ignition switch, and battery. I even took the starter back off and took it back to the shop to have them check it again. It worked fine for them and the guy said nothing is wrong with it. This problem happens hot or cold so I dont think its from the headers heating up the starter either. Does anybody have any ideas what else to check?

nolimitpkr
Apr 22nd, 08, 9:26 PM
I can't figure out what might be wrong. Most times when I try to crank my car when I turn the key it just clicks. After 20 or more clicks it will turn over and crank just fine. I have replaced the starter, ignition switch, and battery. I even took the starter back off and took it back to the shop to have them check it again. It worked fine for them and the guy said nothing is wrong with it. This problem happens hot or cold so I dont think its from the headers heating up the starter either. Does anybody have any ideas what else to check?

Where is your main ground cable connected to????

66sc
Apr 22nd, 08, 11:14 PM
Agree with nolimitpkr above, and since it clicks, its likely the high current side isn't working right. The high current side is the battery, large + and - cables, the starter, whatever is in the ground path, and the contacts in the solenoid that you hear clicking.

Since the battery, starter, and I (probably shouldn't) guess the solenoid and starter have been replaced, the big cables and the ground path are suspect.

Try grounding the negative cable to the block, or measuring the voltage across the cable with it connected and while attempting to start (someone is turning the key to run the starter while you measure volts).

Try measuring the voltage across the cable from the battery to the starter with it connected and while attempting to start.

39ratrod
Apr 23rd, 08, 5:06 PM
I'll give this a try. The battery is grounded on the block at one of the water pump bolts. The funny thing about this is that its the same setup that I've had on the car since I first put it together and it's just now starting to act up. I am almost positive the click is the solenoid at least thats where the sound is coming from.

Dean
Apr 23rd, 08, 5:32 PM
ASSUMING a good ground from the battery to the block, you need find out if there is 12 volts at the solenoid "S" terminal at the time of failure.
Could be caused by a poor connection somewhere between the battery and that terminal or possibly just a bad solenoid.

The last time I had one doing that, I attached a wire to the "S" terminal and brought it up near the battery to use as a test wire.

Schurkey
Apr 24th, 08, 12:33 AM
Most times when I try to crank my car when I turn the key it just clicks. After 20 or more clicks it will turn over and crank just fine.
If you hear the click--it's probably the solenoid plunger. IF (big IF) that's the case, the problem is likely in the solenoid; there's a big copper disc that is pushed into contact with the electrical connections on the end of the solenoid.

If that big copper disc is corroded/burnt/melted then the solenoid will pull in the plunger, but not connect the starter motor windings to the battery-voltage high-current cable.

Now, it COULD be the ground cable; or a bad ground between starter and engine block, etc. But, if all that checks out--pull the solenoid apart and emery-cloth the copper disc and see what happens.