No start

nsjames · Mar 28, 2013

drove to a friends house last night.
went to leave, car won't start.
Fast clicking noises from the starter.

swapped battery this morning (had one close enough to fit in the garage, charged) no joy
terminals are clean and tight. (first thing I checked)

Main relay? That's to the right of the steering column right?

it's either that or starter, but I've also banged on the starter with a hammer (in true side of the road fashion) and got nothing. Usually that tricks good for a few times.

salty about it because I'm already late for work and it's looking like I'm not making it today...awesome.

I've got good continuity between battery and starter.
Battery reads 12.7V sitting.
No CEL or anything weird like that.

nsjames · Mar 28, 2013

nevermind.

nasty grounds was the cause.

Varnell · Mar 28, 2013

I had the same problem with my ground. Glad you got it sorted out. I replaced my starter, battery cables and terminals before I realized the ground was my problem.

Was your thermostat jumping, too?

nsjames · Apr 5, 2013

Varnell said:
I had the same problem with my ground. Glad you got it sorted out. I replaced my starter, battery cables and terminals before I realized the ground was my problem.

Was your thermostat jumping, too?

no, but I did have some flicker in the headlamps at idle for a week before it decided to not start.

I violated rule #1, check the cable connections everywhere before you start taking it apart.

You'd think after all this time I'd stick to my own damned troubleshooting rules.

gascrazy · Jul 24, 2013

nsjames said:
nevermind.

nasty grounds was the cause.

where did you but the new ground from? mines is having the same problem thing bout trying that they are kinda weathered

Olddohc · Aug 2, 2013

Another way to tell if its the starter..
If your car is a stick roll it down a hill and pop the clutch. If it starts and drives then your starter is bad.