no crank no start. *fixed.. starter*

[Razorthirty]

Hi this is gonna be short cause im late for work now.. >.> I went our start my car up this morning, around 15-20 degrees out, i turn the key and hear a loud click, (starter solenoid?) but no crank, i hook up a 110 amp jumper (to a tested good battery mind you) and it starts after holding the key 'start' for about 2 seconds suddely turns and starts norma;y... help?

[Ed Lijewski]

Sure; first suspect would be he solenoid. ~ $20 from any parts store.

YMMV

[richardcurtis]

clean the battery terminals and cable clamps. Then re-try before buying a new solenoid.

[admiralbrown]

I agree with richardcurtis it sound like a loose battery terminal that has oxidized. I bet one of the connections is loose enough to turn. On a cold day the metal shrinks making the contact area smaller and on a cold day you battery produces less power.

[Razorthirty]

I agree with richardcurtis it sound like a loose battery terminal that has oxidized. I bet one of the connections is loose enough to turn. On a cold day the metal shrinks making the contact area smaller and on a cold day you battery produces less power.

Nope, terminals are both clean and tight and steel, not crappy lead deals. the line to the solenoid is good and so is the line to the starter, check with a test light when i hit the key the test light lit on the starter side. So we figured its the starter itself and i went and picked one up today, gonna install tomorrow morning.

Btw my day job is a mechanic, though i only started like 3 months ago >.> learnin fast.

[merkurdriver]

You can always bridge the teminals on the solenoid with a screwdriver to bypass it to determine if it is the solenoid or the starter itself.

[adamt85]

where did you hook the jumper box too? the batt or solenoid? if the battery then it is more than likely your battery.

[Ed Lijewski]

Test light lit doesn't mean starter will/can get the huge amperage flow it needs. Solenoid's internal contacts build up deposits until current can't flow. Solenoid failure at some point is typical. Whether that's the current problem or not, replacement now us cheap and good future insurance against being stranded unexpectedly. Also, do a voltage drop test on the negative battery cable.

YMMV

[Razorthirty]

new starter fixed the issue, i may still replace the solenoid though, we'll see.