My cars engine will not turn over it just clicks!!! Not battery, Not Starter, Not Soleniod... Revised Question

Question

This is a 1990 Mecury Sable automatic with 51k original Miles, The car started to slowly have harder and harder time starting for a few weeks, until it just didnt start one day, if i do check the ampage to the starter how much should be going to the starter? the old starter tested good and the soleniod looked good to so i dont know what it could be, what should I try next ?? i will give ten points for a helpful answer thanks!!

Answer 1

If indeed the battery, solenoid and starter all test good but all you get is a click, you have one of two problems.

1. The battery cables are not making good contact. Make sure they are both clean and tight.

2. Your engine has frozen up and won't turn over no matter what. To find out, put a wrench on it and see if you can turn it over that way.

Answer 2

If the starter is passing a diagnostic test you need to look at wiring. The wiring connections from the battery to the solenoid and starter are suspect on that age car. Also check battery connection at the posts. Fords with top posts are notorious for dirty connections. Remove, clean the posts and resinstall. Check all ground connections.

Good luck.

Answer 3

The clicking shows the solenoid is good but is not getting enough juice from the battery. Remove and clean the battery cables then try again, if it still clicks then it is the battery. Second test jump start if starts right up you need a new battery.

Answer 4

well if you bridge the solenoid and it turns then its the solenoid. now normally id say dont try this at home but ........if you dont mind the danger grab a screwdriver, gloves and a pair of safety glasses. wear the gloves and glasses and place the screw driver on the two screws sticking out of the solenoid (thus connecting each contact of power, bridging) and have someone crank the ignition if it turns its the solenoid. CAUTION you might damage some electrical parts or get shocked this may happen if you do it often however. Not likley with only a few bridges. a solenoid shouldnt cost much mabee you should just replace it instead............

Answer 5

How does a solenoid "look good"? Did you have the solenoid checked? Did you actually change the battery? Have you checked the positive battery cable that goes to the starter(may have corrosion or just increased resistance, thereby not allowing full current).

Answer 6

cliks usually mean low battery or bad battery connections. battery tester is cheap at the auto parts store- little dropper that checks the specific gravity9 OK-- count the # of little balls that float when you suck some battery fluid into it- 4 good- 3 ok -2 not good-1 or 0...new battery time..)
Battery OK? clean the connections,
still clicks? solenoid... they either work or dont.

also, check grounds from battery to frame/engine.
starter could be bad too. Heat soak will cause a starter to draw too much amps..

Answer 7

Actually it is the battery, the clicking sound is the solenoid. You just may have a bad connection in one of the terminals. Make sure all connections are tight and the amperage is correct for your car. Make sure the connections to the ground are tight as well, this should be the problem from what you described.

Answer 8

It could also be the Alternator or Battery. My suggestion would be to test the alternator and if that is good it probably means your battery is bad and not holding a charge.

Answer 9

clean your battery cables where they attach to the battery. take them loose & clean them with a wire brush or battery post cleaner neutralize surface acid with baking soda, Be careful the residue from the battery & cables will eat holes in your clothes. if that doesnt help you probably need a new battery. but you need clean clean cables for that too

Answer 10

check a few of these stater ,plugs ,wires,if it is getting a park check fuel pump..but i think its a spark plug.