Is my starter pooched?

Ok, so I cranked the engine this morning at 7am… I drove to the bank and turn the key and no crank… All the relays are clicking on, no fuses are blown and as far as i know all the integrity of the wiring is good… so after wiggling harnesses and checking all my connections i give up and push start the car with success… i got it back to my shop and i can get the solenoid to click but nothing further than that… My battery is fully charged (i always maintain my battery) and all my other electronics are working… SO … since I dont have my manual on me, what’s the first thing to check? tia!

If starter solenoid “clicks” and engine does not crank the problem is the starter motor or connections.

Try this, open door or turn on dome light, try and start car, keeping an eye on the dome light, if it does not dim almost right out the problem is a connection problem in the starter motor.

Try this, very carefully turn the stud that the batt. power cable in connected to on the starter motor, a second nut will be needed to lock the existing nut into place so it does not undo when trying to turn the stud, [counter clockwise/off], BE CAREFULL you only need to turn the stud a tiny bit, 1-5 degrees.
What can happen when batt. cable is connected to starter motor/solenoid is when tightening the stud nut the stud itself can turn, misaligning high current contact plates, small contact area will eventually burn and a carbon buildup will not allow contact.
Turning the stud back a little can re-align the contact plates.

Also try a sharp tap on the starter motor solenoid, [hammer or other heavy metal object] while someone holds key to start.

If neither of the above work, replace the starter.
If the tap on the solenoid works, replace the solenoid. 94

Thanks FCM… I noticed that my dome light didn’t dim, but what I eventually discovered was my signal wire had corroded half way through the harness!! I actually put a screwdriver from b+ to s terminal and it fired up! Problem solved, I appreciate the help :slight_smile: No more push starting for me haha…