my 1991 chevy lumina car starter won't turn over?

Question

I pulled the starter and took it to advance auto and had them check it out, it works great. I check all the fuses under the hood and in the glove box, fine. I check the voltage across the starter and it has 12v all the time it doesn't mater if I turn the key or not.

like i said before I have checked the battery, tried jumping the car with my pontiac. the solenoide has 12v accross the main terminnals. the starter and soleniode was taken off of the car and checked by advance auto parts, it works great.

Answer 1

First clean the battery cables, Make sure the starter cable is tight, now see if it will start, If no jump it off , If still no check the oil,And go back and check the fuses with a test light.If car starts when jumped battery does not have enough hot cranking amps, hope this helps.

Answer 2

The first thing would check is the battery.Remove and have the battery tested.You could have a bad cell in the battery.The voltage will show ok but the battery chould have little or no cranking amps.

Answer 3

you checked the voltage to the solenoid........the main center terminal......that should all way,s be hot......that,s power in to the solenoid switch.....the switch [itself] is what introduces power to the starter.....there is a small terminal to the side ...marked with an S [for solenoid]....when you turn your key this terminal is energized to engage the starter....this take,s power from the main terminal...through the solenoid & into the starter....you must be getting power to the small terminal[ when key is turned to start position] in order to engauge the selonoid to engauge the starter.....have a friend hold your key to the start position....then check for power at the small "S" terminal....if no power....trace the line back to your ignition switch to find the break....be sure your in park or neutral.....the neutral safty switch could be the problem....good luck....hunting for a power break can be difficult!