What's Wrong With My Car?

Question

Sometimes I only get clicking sound when turning the key. On 5th - 10th try, engine turns over right away.
- Battery is new, and fully charged.
- To fix this, I changed the starter with a rebuilt, installed new alternator, installed new battery and fully charged, new battery cable posts
- Problem is intermittent...sometimes starter engages instantly...other times, 5 -10 tries.
- Pep boys did full electrical diagnostic, found nothing (maybe doesn't mean much, tho)

Right now, I'm leaning toward buying & installing another starter (new, not rebuilt).

What is this?! Been going on for weeks...

1995 Chevy Lumina, 3.1L

Solenoid is part of the starter assembly for the '95 Lumina....but thanks!

Ignition switch is maybe the one major component remaining I didn't change yet, so it may be next. But why does the solenoid click (think it's the solenoid making the click) when I turn the key? Seems like ignition sw fail would null the solenoid ... but I really don't know, and thanks!

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Getting a lot of great feedback here, and it's appreciated. I've got no problem with disagreeing views, so don;t hesitate to post. I'm ready to just about anything at this point.
Thanks...eveyone has given quality, thinking answers.
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Thanks deserontoshamrock. Answer: I'm believing in living debt free. Translation: when I can pay cash for a new car, I will. Until then, I fix my old precious.

Question for you: should a man leave his old wife when she gets cranky and problematic? Or stay and try to fix his old precious wife. :-)

Answer 1

sounds to me like you purchased a defective starter, if you battery connections are good try another starter, try to start the car with your headlights on if it just clicks and the lights go out then you have a bad connection at the battery, if the lights stay bright you have a bad starter

Answer 2

The problem is you keep putting cheap after market parts on there. You are wasting so much time replacing the same part over and over. Buy a better quality part. Also make sure your connections are bright, shiny, and clean. Even battery corrosion on cables will cause high resistance causing the starter not to engage.

Answer 3

NEVER replace any part till you know the problem. Changing starters is not the solution. The new battery was installed but did the terminals and posts get cleaned ?? Remove the battery terminals and get a battery brush and clean the terminals and posts till they shine. Bet that solves the problem. Even though cables and battery are new they still need to be cleaned.

Answer 4

The teeth on the fly wheel could be worn, which might could result in the teeth on the starter not hitting right, which might could result in this problem. If this is the case a starter shim or two may fix the prob....But hey,I am a woman and this is just a guess from my experience...could be ridiculously wrong. lol Oh, Also broken teeth on the flywheel could cause this as well, if that is the case, a new flywheel is what you will need.

Answer 5

Definitely check your grounds, could be a short some where on the ignition wire that engages the solenoid.

Answer 6

dont touch the starter. Check the ign. switch, relay remove the starter and clean the starter and block surfaces, Lastly; take a jumper wire and from the pos(+) post at battery to the starter and see if it engages all the time. If it does; then check each component I mentioned. Good luck. R.H.W. and dont forget to ch. all the fuseablewire links

Answer 7

Check to make sure your starter is properly grounded.Sometimes, there is either oil or rust where starter bolts to block. Your ground is as important as the positive side. If it's ok, I would go for a new starter.

Answer 8

gm ignitions are notorious, changed 2 in my truck so far,
they are cheap to replace, possibly a short

just a question, but why would you put all that money into an old car?

Answer 9

sounds like you changed everything but the solenoid. I would say that is your problem.

Answer 10

id say it was the starter