The starter worked this morning, now it doesn't.

[$100T2]

Started the 'vert this morning, started up just fine. Drove down to the gas station and filled it, then it wouldn't start.

Turn the key, hear a click. Turn the key, hear a click. Turn the key, hear a click.

I checked the connections at the battery, everything was fine. Had my mechanic push the car, popped the clutch, started up just fine. Had to go to a doctor's appointment (Yay! Ankle surgery!), turned the car off. Came back out, and again, turn the key, hear a click.

I brought it home and drove it up on the ramps so I can get the jack under it. Before I screw with the starter, anything else I should look at first?

[85rx-7gsl-se]

As crazy as this sounds, make sure that the starter wire from the ignition didn't vibrate off. I have had that happen and it won't start, looked under the car and saw the wire loose, hooked it up and started right up.

[$100T2]

Alright, here's how the wires look on the starter... That was the best I could do without busting out the floor jack.

I'm going to go through the fuse box first to make sure nothing is blown, if that doesn't solve it, then I'm getting out the jackstands and all the tools. It's cold and windy today, not looking forward to futzing with the car.

EDIT: I have a brand new FB starter, would that work on the 'vert? If so, I can just yank it off the FB and swap it on the FC.

[My5ABaby]

When my battery was clicking my voltage gauge would drop really low when I put the key to Start (also verified with a DMM). If that's happening, it's likely the battery connection. Also, my battery connection was fine in any other key position, just not the Start position, so don't assume that if you're getting voltage with the car off, you're getting it when it's trying to Start.

Hook up a multimeter to the battery terminal connectors (not the terminals themselves) and see if you're getting voltage when you try to start it. If you are, see if you're also getting voltage at the starter.


Disclaimer: I take no responsibility to for you getting hurt being a tard and running yourself over or something.

[85rx-7gsl-se]

Hmmm...On mine, the TII starter, there is two studs on the back....one hooks to the hot, the other run from the stud to the starter case as a ground. Then there is a small spade connector on which the wire from the ignition clips on to.

[$100T2]

OK, battery connections are absolutely fine. Under hood fuses are fine, in car fuses are fine. Getting out the jack to check the starter connections.

[classicauto]

Yep try jumping it first. You'd bes surprised how battery's nose dive sometimes.

If that gets you no dice, then check the connections (at the battery and the starter) are clean. If again there's no dice, try another starter. The FB one will work only if its from a GSL SE.

[My5ABaby]

Originally Posted by $100T2

OK, battery connections are absolutely fine. Under hood fuses are fine, in car fuses are fine. Getting out the jack to check the starter connections.

Are they fine when you put the key to Start? Just checking...

If you haven't checked, you can put the headlights on and see what happens to them when you turn the key. That might be easier than trying to run a MM to where it's viewable while starting the car.

If you have checked it, bravo.

Anywho, not trying to reiterate or doubt you, but I had this problem a while back and it stumped me for a bit, especially since I had new (2 months) terminal connectors on there.

[$100T2]

Originally Posted by classicauto

Yep try jumping it first. You'd bes surprised how battery's nose dive sometimes.

If that gets you no dice, then check the connections (at the battery and the starter) are clean. If again there's no dice, try another starter. The FB one will work only if its from a GSL SE.

The battery is brand new, and again, it started once this morning perfectly, I drove it for almost an hour, and then it just won't do shit.

[classicauto]

Just making the suggestion. I've had my car do the exact same thing (actually, not only the FC but my VW at one point also) and the battery just didn't have the umph.

Probably a starter.

EDIT: Also, before you remove it, try giving it a few love taps. Sometimes when a starter's on its last legs a section of the motor will be sticky due to wear and a little wrap is good enough to free it up. At least that would solidify the starter as the issue if a tap got it spinning again.

[$100T2]

Well, this is the best I could do for you guys:

[$100T2]

Originally Posted by classicauto

EDIT: Also, before you remove it, try giving it a few love taps. Sometimes when a starter's on its last legs a section of the motor will be sticky due to wear and a little wrap is good enough to free it up. At least that would solidify the starter as the issue if a tap got it spinning again.

Tried that, didn't work.

[$100T2]

Originally Posted by My5ABaby

If you haven't checked, you can put the headlights on and see what happens to them when you turn the key. That might be easier than trying to run a MM to where it's viewable while starting the car.

The headlights don't even semi-blink when I try it. See the vid.

[$100T2]

Just tried jumping it with the Pontiac just in case, same result.

[J-Rat]

Did you verify the 12 V starting signal is coming down the wire to the solenoid? Also, you can use the screwdriver trick to jumper the Main 12v terminals to see if it spins the starter