Pop starts but doesn't crank

[4G Power]

I'm having issues with a '96 GST. The car has been mostly sitting for a few months. It usually starts right up.

It was started yesterday, shut off, started back up(upon starting this time, sounded like battery was low), driven a few miles, shut back off, and then it wouldn't crank. I put jumper cables on it and nothing happened, when attempting to crank the fuel pump just sounds and nothing else, the starter doesn't even click. It does pop start and drives fine though.

I replaced the starter with my warranty today, even though it tested good. I'm kind of stumped why it runs great, the starter is fine, but it doesn't crank. Help?

 

[weszeebee]

make sure your terminals are clean and you have good connections. It may seem you are getting power but if they are not tight enough it wont be enough to get the starter to crank, I have ran into this issue myself. Once your sure thats not the issue get the battery tested.

 

[talon2gbuyer]

I had this issue. Check for corrosion and rips in your battery cables. Those tend to lead to parasitic draws and will eventually kill your starter from popping it so often. Do a good inspection of the cables and let us know what you find.

 

[mattiouti]

Check for power at the starter too. I had an issue where I was only getting 6 volts to the starter

 

[4G Power]

Thanks for the suggestions, my battery is relocated to the trunk (cable underneath car) and I've had problems before with it grounding out and stalling the car, say over a speed bump. I moved it around a bit, and it worked great!

 

[erics93talon]

You could run the power wire through the firewall into the car under the carpet and into the trunk. My car is ran like that. (Didn't do it myself)

 

[4G Power]

UPDATE: Still having the problem. I re-ran my battery cables (with new cables, like below setup). I also put a new starter on. The car still clicks when cranking, but if I keep hitting the key it will eventually crank and start. Sometimes it starts normally, without having to do that.

Any ideas? Or what should I check, I'm stumped.

You could run the power wire through the firewall into the car under the carpet and into the trunk. My car is ran like that. (Didn't do it myself)

I re-ran my battery cables through the car like you said.

 

[Kruger]

It could be a bad relay, Sometimes they will click like mad and only work sometimes.

 

[4G Power]

It could be a bad relay, Sometimes they will click like mad and only work sometimes.

What relay? I don't think there's a starter relay.. Do you mean the engine fuse?

 

[Kruger]

The starter relay perhaps.
its located behind center console down low. You would have to pull the Cd player to gain access to it I believe. Unless you can access it from the passenger side of the center consoles kick panel.

Also, check that the starters signal wire is connected well, and make sure there are no breaks in the wire.
The signal wire is connected to the starter.

 

[Timechg]

It might be a bad starter solenoid, they are usually just replaced with the complete starter replacement. You might as well take the starter out and have it tested (it doesn't take too long).