starter clicks but doesn't turn over

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Joe Feise - 18 May 2007 17:04 GMT

On my '99, I regularly have the problem that the starter solenoid clicks, but
the starter won't crank right away. I have to turn the ignition key on and off
several times before the starter turns.
I have a new starter and a new ignition switch.
This has annoyed me for several months. Does anybody have an idea what it could be?

TIA,
-Joe

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XS11E - 18 May 2007 17:20 GMT

> On my '99, I regularly have the problem that the starter solenoid
> clicks, but the starter won't crank right away. I have to turn the
> ignition key on and off several times before the starter turns.
> I have a new starter and a new ignition switch.
> This has annoyed me for several months. Does anybody have an idea
> what it could be?

I'd start by checking the battery, corroded terminals might do that.

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Mal Osborne - 19 May 2007 10:14 GMT

Turn on the headlights. If they are very dim or off when cranking, it's
probably a battery or connector problem, if they stay bright, it's a starter
motor issue.

> On my '99, I regularly have the problem that the starter solenoid clicks,
> but
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> TIA,
> -Joe

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Joe Feise - 22 May 2007 04:27 GMT

I tried turning on the headlights. And the result so far has been that I have
seen much less of the problem. Most of the time, with the headlights on, it
started right away...

-Joe

Mal Osborne wrote on 05/19/07 02:14:

> Turn on the headlights. If they are very dim or off when cranking, it's
> probably a battery or connector problem, if they stay bright, it's a starter
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>> TIA,
>> -Joe

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r0lliSl1fe - 21 May 2007 04:36 GMT

> On my '99, I regularly have the problem that the starter solenoid clicks, but
> the starter won't crank right away. I have to turn the ignition key on and off
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> TIA,
> -Joe

Woo! Sounds like what stranded me and my mom two weeks ago. Only we
couldn't actually get it to start. If it's been more than a year
since you got your battery, I'd replace it. If it's under
warranty...well then have them test it and charge it. Then pour Coke
(yes, the soda) into a rag and clean the terminals of the battery and
the ends of the cables thoroughly.

Remount the cables...maybe with some anti-corrosion battery grease
(AutoZone loves to sell you this stuff at the counter).

If it doesn't work...well, it will work! If it happens again in a
little while (assuming you just charge the battery), then the battery
is defective and charging unevenly. Might have tipped over at some
point. Get it replaced!

-r0ll

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Joe Feise - 22 May 2007 04:29 GMT

r0lliSl1fe wrote on 05/20/07 20:36:

>> On my '99, I regularly have the problem that the starter solenoid clicks, but
>> the starter won't crank right away. I have to turn the ignition key on and off
[quoted text clipped - 21 lines]
>
> -r0ll

Thanks for the tips.
The battery is fairly new, although it could be over a year already (I'd have to
check my receipts.)

-Joe

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