Car won't turn over sometimes...

[LarsD]

My car has developed a problem, that sometimes when I go to start it I hear the silenoid click, but the starter doesn't engage. I just replaced the starter about 5K miles ago with this new one, and I don't run longtubes, so I don't think it's a heatsoak issue. Could it be a relay or something I don't know about?

Thanks,
L.D.

 

[t-top 87]

I had a similar problem a while ago. It turned out to be a bad ground in the starter cable. Check the cable where the brackets attach to the sides of the motor.

 

[LarsD]

That's a good idea, I forgot about that...

 

[TRWXXA]

Mine would do something similar to that too. I'd turn the key, hear a click, but no start. After a couple of tries, the starter would engage.

The starter was new, so I replaced the the starter relay (<$10 at Advance Auto), and haven't had that problem since.

I suspect that the old relay was working, but the contacts were bad or not making good contact.

Check your wiring first because that's free. Then try a new relay.

 

[LarsD]

Cool thanks.

 

[HISSIN50]

what i would do (you may have done some of this already):
make sure the battery is up to par. then battery cables and their connections. then motor grounds. then starter cable.

good luck.

 

[90mustangGT]

Considering that all connections are tight, I would check to see if the starter is getting Voltage, if it is then it is definatly the starter. Reman starters suck.

 

[LarsD]

It's a new starter, I replaced all the cables about a year ago and it has a 2yo Optima red top in it. My guess is the ground or relay problem (I hope!).