Machine gun ticking when trying to start.

[Foxwolfe]

Wanted to ask on here before I head to work, thing is when I try to start the car it's just a real fast ticking, starter isnt turning either.

Not sure if I should go after the relay or what (relay was replaced last year, is it unheard of for them to go bad that quickly?).

Also if one of the battery cables (or both) or the cable going from the relay to the starter were going or went bad how would that effect me?

 

[87'GTstang]

Are you positive that the starter isn't turning, or is it just that it isn't engaging and just spinning (should be a light whirring noise)? Also is this the stock Bendix starter?

 

[Notchbck93]

Put a new battery in your ride

 

[Foxwolfe]

The starter is brand new, I'm pretty sure it's not turning at all as I did not hear a whirring noise just a ticking (wasnt sure if it was comming from passenger side of engine or not).

I'm also positive the battery is not the culprit as I've tested it many times and it still has its 12v charge (just to be sure I tried jumping the car and it made no difference).

 

[Foxwolfe]

Well I just hooked up a jumper cable directly from the starter to the battery and the starter cranked no problem, this mean the starter cable could be bad?

 

[larrendeuce]

I had the same problem awhile back. Check all the power cables to make sure they aren't loose.

 

[Foxwolfe]

Can you go into a little more detail larren? You had the ticking/clicking problem but found a loose connection and that solved it?

 

[NKau]

Well I just hooked up a jumper cable directly from the starter to the battery and the starter cranked no problem, this mean the starter cable could be bad?

Haha, YES!!!!! I'd take a peek at both of the battery cables while you are in there while you are at it; if the insulation is cracking, or pulling back from the terminals, I'd just do them all at the same time......glad you figured it out.

 

[Foxwolfe]

Yeah I know it seems kinda obvious but at the same time I recently replaced both the battery cables so I wanted to look elseware. Although I admit the terminal clamps are starting to crack pretty badly (didnt realize lead could crack like that), so I guess if I do replace them it wont be kragen ones this time

Edit: Oh and I know my questions may sound like I dont know anything about what I'm doing (although truthfully I know little as it is), I enjoy working on my car myself and learning as I go, so I just want to make sure I'm totally clear on what I'm going to do before I do it.

 

[larrendeuce]

Can you go into a little more detail larren? You had the ticking/clicking problem but found a loose connection and that solved it?

I had a loose wire on the battery ground terminal. It made a ticking sound when you try to start it. Wiggling the wires made me able to start it. After I found that out I stripped the insulation from the wire, (lots of corrosion inside) and tightend the wire to the battery terminal the click went away. Now it works fine.

 

[Foxwolfe]

Thanks larren thats what I wanted to hear, I'll definitely look into that too.

 

[BeerElf]

Could be the starter solenoid. When mine went bad it made a rapid ticking noise. Running a cable straight to the starter also shows that it will start if you cut the solenoid out of the loop.

 

[5.0fox]

have you worked on any part of the starting system recently? check the power cable to the starter and make sure it is tight and on straight. i had mine sideways and it cause the cable end to ground out on the starter housing which made a terrible clicking noise.

 

[Foxwolfe]

Hmm, yeah I did bypass the solenoid and still got the same thing, so I dont think that is at fault. Also it was replaced last year I'd like to hope it would still be good.

As for the starter cable being on at an improper angle I hadnt thought of that, I'll have to take a look at it as I had just recently messed with that. Thanks for the suggestion.