Resolved Starter issue. Clicks/no crank

[JPUSAF]

Out of the blue my car begins having issues starting. From a cold start (engine cold) it'll start up just fine. After being idle for a few minutes or driving for a few minutes then trying trying to restart, it will no longer crank over. It just clicks. I've check connections to and from the starter and everything seems ok. Any ideas???

 

[Piranha451]

The starter is probably bad. I had a 1970 442 that did the same thing yours is doing and in order to get it started I had to tap on it with a hammer while someone turned the key.

 

[bmwisthekey]

It may be possible that your battery has a weak cell and isnt holding a charge, or your alternator might be the culprit, go get your battery tested, as well as the alternator, most auto parts stores can check these for you while your in the the parking lot.

When you said after its been running and you shut it off and go to start back up and the starter just clicks but doesnt attempt to turn the engine over , have your tried jump starting it when this occurs? if so does it start up? try that if you havent already

 

[JPUSAF]

Both battery and alternator are good. And, yes I've tried jumping it when the starter is just clicking. No luck there. I have been able to push start it though, if that helps.

 

[somdturbo]

Put your car in the on position. Run a wire from the spade terminal on the started to the pos on your battery. The car should start. If not, the starter is bad, thats a positive way to tell.

this method eliminates anything else it could be like the starter relay and charging system.

Push starting eliminates the use of a starter, so that doesnt help.

 

[JPUSAF]

Ok, did that...it started just fine. Also, while messing around I noticed that with the negative cable hooked to the battery it will not start by turning the key. With the neg. removed from the battery terminal it will crank every time. Grounding issue???

 

[GST with PSI]

Do a voltage drop test on the positive and negative sides of the starter circuit. If you have any high resistance at all a voltage drop will make it very apparent. if this procedure is not familiar to you i can explain.....

 

[JPUSAF]

I found the issue. The negative lead from the battery to the starter was broken in the middle under all the plastic covering. Replaced that and she is good as new. Thanks for the replys!