[Spridgets] turn the key, and - click!

[Hal Faulkner]

Years back, when I was living in a smallish college town I had a similar
problem with my 1962 Falcon.  Changed starters, cleaned contacts, connected
the jumper cables directly to the starter solenoid and a nearby ground.
Still would only click.  My mechanic told me to* replace the battery cables*
but I knew it couldn't be that 'cuz of the way I had jumped it.  Took the
new starter back and exchanged it. Still no joy.  Decided that it might be
reasonable to listen to the guy who made his living fixing cars and was
renowned for his honesty and quality of advice.  When my brother and I told
Ray how we had finally fixed the problem he looked at us and said, "Shoulda
listened to me the first time.  I bet both you guys have master's
degrees."  What can I say? He was right and we always followed his advice
after that.

On Fri, Sep 22, 2017 at 10:50 AM, Steven Michelsen via Spridgets <
spridgets at autox.team.net> wrote:

> Thanks to all for your suggestions.  Here is where I am at:
>
> I confirmed (I hope) that the starter motor is not stuck, by putting the
> car in 4th and pushing it backwards about 5 feet.  I could hear the engine
> turning over as I pushed it.  I also turned the square bolt at the end of
> the starter motor - it turned freely.
>
> I cleaned the neg battery cable connection to the firewall.  The other
> three - the pos and neg battery terminals, and the pos connection at the
> solenoid, were looked at when I replaced the solenoid.  All is good there.
>
> As fas as I know, I have a "regular" starter.  It is not original - dated
> 1997.
>
> Still nothing but that CLICK.
>
> I will put the battery on a charger and try again tonight or tomorrow.
> Any further input/ideas/theories are greatly appreciated.
>
>
>
> On Fri, Sep 22, 2017 at 01:31 PM, CosmicMag1380 wrote:
>
> In addition to the other good advice, I would start by charging the new
> battery first. You should charge a new one to capacity prior to "flashing"
> it for the first time. All that means is start with a completely charged
> battery before putting a heavy load on it. Since you have already cranked
> it until it slowed down, it probably did not have a full charge right off
> the shelf.
>
> Also check to see if the starter pinion is stuck in the ring gear. It may
> not have retracted after the final cranking attempt. That would cause a
> clicking sound... Just put the car in neutral and turn the engine by hand
> to see if it is stuck.
>
> Kent
>
> On Thu, Sep 21, 2017 at 11:12 PM, Steven Michelsen via Spridgets <
> spridgets at autox.team.net> wrote:
>
>> It's been an awful long time since I've posted, and even longer since my
>> (formerly) reliable 1500 Midget has given me any trouble at all.  But now I
>> have a small challenge...
>>
>> The other day I tried to start it for the first time in many months,
>> using a brand new battery.  First, it cranked and cranked, slowing down as
>> it tried to start.  Next time - nothing.  Just a solid CLICK.  I mistakenly
>> took this to mean that I needed a new solenoid, which I bought and
>> installed.  That wasn't the answer.  I turn the key and get a solid CLICK.
>> The battery is still good - lights and such work fine.
>>
>> My question is, what's the next step to diagnose this?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Steve
>> 1978 Midget
>> ------------------------
>>
>> spridgets at autox.team.net
>>
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>>
>
>
>
> --
> Kent
> 1960 Bugeye
> 1983 Garage full of spridget parts!
> 2010 Arrow shed full of excess spridget parts!!!
>
>
>
> ------------------------
>
> spridgets at autox.team.net
>
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