Starter problem

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1968dartman

life is getting better!!
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I am having a problem with my starter that has me stumped. The starter will work perfect for a while then just stop working and going click, click when I try to start the car. I have replaced the starter relay twice, pulled and tested the starter ( worked perfect) even replaced the starter with another that I have in stock, and the same problem keeps happening. Please help me as I am lost!! Also I checked and cleaned all the connections for the entire circuit. What else can I look at?
 
Have you tested the battery? And by tested....I mean replaced. Lol. I changed 2 starters years ago because an autozone employee assured me my battery was good. Perhaps swap the battery for a weekend with a known working battery. See where that gets you. Sounds just like what I dealt with.
 
Dont know what your running for motor but if you have headers running close to starter you may have a heat sink problem works great cold but headers heat up starter and wont start hot just a thought
 
Dont know what your running for motor but if you have headers running close to starter you may have a heat sink problem works great cold but headers heat up starter and wont start hot just a thought
I have stock exhaust. This problem does not seem to care. It mostly happens when the motor is stone cold
 
Use a voltmeter to measure the big stud on the starter relay, other lead on ground when you try to start. If the voltage is not around 12V, it is a bad connection in battery cables, or bad battery. Then check at battery terminals, if low there it is the battery.
 
Use a voltmeter to measure the big stud on the starter relay, other lead on ground when you try to start. If the voltage is not around 12V, it is a bad connection in battery cables, or bad battery. Then check at battery terminals, if low there it is the battery.
THANKS!!!!
 
It could also be a bad signal from the key switch.Or a bad ground at the NSS.
The next time it happens just bridge the two largest studs on the relay withe a large screwdriver or something similar. If the clicking is gone, and it cranks normally, then it will likely be one of the above.
The key switch is off for this test.
 
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It could also be a bad signal from the key switch.Or a bad ground at the NSS.
The next time it happens just bridge the two largest studs on the relay withe a large screwdriver or something similar. If the clicking is gone, and it cranks normally, then it will likely be one of the above.
Tried what you suggested and it still just clicks
 
We're not on the same page I think. What exactly clicked? was it the starter?

If yes, have someone turn the key to start, while you smack the starter with a hammer.No, don't try to smash it like a pumpkin! Just some energetic smacks.
If that gets her going, I would suspect a faulty ground. I would pull the starter off and clean the contact points where ever the starter contacts the bellhouse. It needs multiple clean contact points. But if no change, I would clean all the power contact points. Start with the battery posts. Then the connection of the ground cable to the block, then of the power connections at the relay, and finally the starter.You can retest after each connection is cleaned, and quit when it cranks.
You said you tried a second starter with the same results, so I doubt the internal solenoid is having trouble contacting, although it is somewhat common.The big copper washer gets corroded and or beat up pretty bad. I have had to take the starter apart to to fix those.
But if the relay was clicking, new story. When jumpering the two large studs, with the key off, that relay should be electrically dead, so it could not be clicking. The second large stud has the small HHscrew, with the second largest gauge wire on it; I think it's brown.
 
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Depending on how the main cable is routed this could be a problem in the main cable to the starter "big stud."

If what you are hearing is the starter relay and NOT the solenoid, it could be the relay to solenoid wire. "Broke inside"

Does it clickety click and "buzz" or do you just get one "click" when you twist the key?
 
Make sure you have a good ground from your neg post to the frame of the car and then from the frame to the engine
 
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