StartingTroubleshooting
Starting Problems: Troubleshooting
Electrical
If you are hearing a clicking from the starter motor solenoid but it isn't turning over, try hitting the solenoid with a spanner / small hammer to free it up. You can also try rocking the car with it in gear (3rd).
Check the connection to the solenoid to make sure you are getting the correct voltage there. You should try the [BrownWireMod] before going to the trouble of replacing the starter motor.
--Dom. 15:44, 22 August 2009 (UTC)
The main (large) battery wire goes directly from the battery to the starter motor. (solenoid actually) Check that you have a solid 12V to that point. (to ground) Next, check that your ground wire AT THE TRANSMISSION (to chassis) is good.
If you're in a safe position, you can remove the smaller solenoid wire and (with an aligator clip) short the large feed wire from the starter to the post where the solenoid wire goes. This will crank the engine over by force. BE SURE YOU'RE OUT OF GEAR AND SAFE WHEN DOING SO! This proves the main wiring to the starter is good.
With the starter solenoid wire (SMALL wire, likely red) disconnected, slap a volt meter across the disconnected wire and have someone "turn the key to start" for ya to see if you have 12V at this wire. If you do, your problem is likely the solenoid, but if you've checked the starter, by now you would have found the problem!
-- Bob Brown