I have an 88 GT convertible. When I turn the key, it will not start, instead there is a clicking sound. It has been doing this intermittently the last few weeks. The battery is new (two weeks) and the shows good voltage on the dash board gauge. Ideas? Or thread links already covering this issue? Thanks.
Solenoid on the starter is probably bad. Have someone turn the key and use a volt meter and check to make sure that power is going to it when the key is turned to start.
As he said... The starter is dirty inside, the solenoid is trying to move but can't reach the copper contacts which close and send power to the motor. It's fairly easy to strip & clean & lube your starter, or you can drop it off at an auto electrician There was a thread on this topic but I can no longer find it either Here's the last time I did it on this page - http://www.st162.net/forum/showthre...-amp-4-door-and-many-more-jdm-oddities/page13
The relay closes and connects the starter directly with the battery Not enough juice would mean a bad connection or damaged battery cable, if the solenoid is clicking it means the relay is working but the solenoid can't move forward enough to move the bendix out and engage the motor Often just tapping the starter with a piece of wood will free up the solenoid temporarily and confirm the diagnosis
Yes I could tap the starter with something and it would start.....since ive done the mod I havent had to do that at all. Same starter I had for 6 months after I did the mod.......it would still be a good thing to do.
Yes, it was the starter. Issue resolved. I later remembered that I had an extra starter that I pulled from the wrecking yard. After installing it, the car started up perfectly. Instead of recycling the old starter, I'm going to try opening it, checking out what's inside, and cleaning it. Should be cool. Thanks for the quality responses, as always. Great not having to search and park on the inclinated hill.
personally i would still do the starter mod with the relay. in general terms when the starter is playing up you wont get a ticking noise, simply nothing. every so often i used to get the clicking and it wasnt the starter needing a tap i just had to give it time. since wiring in the relay no issues
