Starter / Solenoid Problem - 1985 Buick Skyhawk?

Question

Hello-

1985 Buick Skyhawk - good volts on the meter and everything works (lights, radio, etc.) - but it won't start. Last few starts have been getting really, really sluggish until now it just clicks.

My next course of action is to investigate the starter and.or starter solenoid. Sound like a good plan?

My next question is where, exactly is the solenoid and what am I looking for? My guess is that it would be mounted on the firewall somewhere but haven't been able to locate it thus far - if anyone can help with this or offer other suggestions it would me much appreciated.

Thanks!

Answer 1

first check for bad cable ground or bad contact on battery take them off and clean them old trick use can of soda like mountain dew cut the can in half and put the terminals in the soda it foam up if it has acid on it . if the battery is good it will probably start . the solenoid is on top the starter

Answer 2

it should be the same as mine.i got a 1988 olds.the solenoid is on the starter.its a round thing,where your battery wires hook up to.yea that wouldnt be a bad idea,about checking the solenoid out.thats what it sounds like.you got to remove the starter to change it.you say its just clicking,then thats probably what it is,unless you battery terminals are dirty and loose.

Answer 3

GM starters have the solenoid attached to them...yes that sounds like the right direction

Answer 4

those are some enormously strange warning signs! you're saying it must be jumped off... does it spin over without bounce and in simple terms no longer initiate, or... does it no longer spin over in any respect till there's a jumper battery help? i think of it is area it is failing because it heats up after utilising a on a similar time as. in case you be attentive to somebody who can do it, get them to apply a code reader to work out if any hassle codes are being set interior the ECM. this could provide help to be attentive to exactly the place the situation is. additionally, to be unquestionably particular the battery is the explanation the motor vehicle is dying, the subsequent time it happens, examine the battery on the instant with a LOAD tester. this gives you you the actual situation of the batteries "well-being" on account that even a sparkling battery could be defective under load yet coach stable no-load voltage. another advice to boot, disconnect the two battery cable first, then, discover the pc assembly. in many situations interior the passenger area front footwell area panel on those 365 days GM automobiles, get rid of the little rectangular conceal plate over the ECM chip and be sure its no longer coming loose interior the socket. I had a private journey with this on a till now eighty's chevy and it drove me and numerous different mechanics NUTS with strange possible unrelated warning signs till we tracked it down. Push down complicated on it and be sure its seated. stable success!

Answer 5

You may want to check the battery to see if it will hold a load. Just testing the voltage isn't enough...the battery needs to be able to keep the voltage up while under a load to make the starter turn.

Answer 6

Dirty battery terminals are likely in this case, the clicking is usually the sound of a dead starter...

Answer 7

Ask these guys, They know eveything www.smallenginestarters.com