Spyder 97 spyder starter clicks. Doesn’t crank

[ryan4269]

This is my first car, bought it with all sorts of little issues, always had a real hard time starting. Big mess of wiring from previous owners so I’ve gutted it down slowly picking away. Whenever I finish something I always start it and it’s been fine till now. The last thing I’ve done is add some switches nowhere near anything important and I’m 100% did not make a problem. I did however play around with the lock and starter relay since there’s a problem with the power locks, the lock is stuck on (always receiving 12v) I did not do anything to the starter relay but unplug and plug back in. Now I just get a good click from the engine bay, I’ll attach a video.

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The cluster blinks as seen at the end, is that indicating something?

 

[dustyboner]

check for these problems:
a bad battery,
corroded battery cables or cable ends,
bad connections, improper ground (like not having the ground from the battery to the transmission)

 

[AWD-Tony]

Sounds like a starter problem. Try tapping the starter with a hammer

 

[waltah]

It looked to me like all the cluster lights stayed on: If so the battery and cables are probably okay except possibly the ones powering the starter itself. It you hear a good solid 'clack!' from the engine compartment when you turned the key (I can't hear any sound but that may just be my browser) then the solenoid is operating. If the solenoid operates but there's no cranking that's most likely a bad starter motor -- is it high miles? The brushes do wear out and hard starting (because not much power) and then intermittent or no operation (brush doesn't touch commutator at all) are what happens.

Assuming I'm right about dash lights don't dim and there is a solid 'clack' sound showing solenoid operation, I would:

1. Recheck wiring around the starter, particularly battery-to=starter cable and the ground strap from the battery. This isn't a likely bet in this case (usually you'd get a chatter or buzz from the solenoid for cable problems) but it's easy and cheap to check.

2. Try to start it ten-twenty times. Sometimes the solenoid will jar things into contact inside the starter so it'll work ... once, or maybe even for a week. Don't worry though ... if the starter is worn out it'll quit again.

3. Replace the starter with a new one. I don't know on Spyder but on other Mitsu's of our era that's not a terribly hard job. DISCONNECT THE BATTERY before getting in there with tools if you don't want a wrench-shape burn on your hand.

Good luck cleaning up prior owner messes!

 

[ryan4269]

Sounds like a starter problem. Try tapping the starter with a hammer

Haha that did it, no problems now after multiple starts. Thank you so much

 

[Dericsh]

Haha that did it, no problems now after multiple starts. Thank you so much

That’s great to get you out of being stranded, but don’t forget you should still plan to replace the starter in the near future if you’re going to be depending on this vehicle.

 

[AWD-Tony]

That’s great to get you out of being stranded, but don’t forget you should still plan to replace the starter in the near future if you’re going to be depending on this vehicle.

Yup. It will eventually happen more often.