justcallmeclassy

iTrader: (1)

When I bought the car sometimes when you turn the key instead of starting right up it would make a very loud clicking noise for each time you turned the key. I was told it was the start solenoid. Replaced that and it still happened. Had engine work done and the guy told me it was the starter and I needed to replace it before it went out. Well last night it wouldn't even make the clicking, nor would it this morning. So I got a reman starter and replaced the whole unit. First two attempts still nothing, then the next one it started quicker than ever before so I drove it home, same with the next start. Now two hours later its doing the clicking crap again. so obviously itsd something else. Anybody have a clue what tho?

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

How good is the battery and the cables to the starter / block?

justcallmeclassy

iTrader: (1)

The battery is new, maybe a few months old. I've had the car for nearly 2 years and its always done this. Sometimes no clicks, sometimes it goes on and on. No idea on the connections atm, but if its anything like the rest of the wiring in the car im sure its jack somehow.

ninetyone

iTrader: (2)

Replace your ignition switch yet? I had the exact same problem and finally just got a 12v push button switch.LOL

justcallmeclassy

iTrader: (1)

Ignition switch? Isn't that on the steering column? Idk really but ill check that out. Somewhere I read maybe starter enable relay, but none of the electrically stuff usually makes sense easily to me lol.

justcallmeclassy

iTrader: (1)

BTW incases I wasn't clear the "clicking" noise sounds like its coming from the engine bay or close to it. And it is LOUD. I figure that's the starter trying to engage or something but it doesn't make sense to me lol

justcallmeclassy

iTrader: (1)

Alright I know it probably seems like im just talking to myself here now but anyway I think the clinking noise might just be the starter, and its not getting enought amperage to actually do its job. So ill try and check the connection tomorrow, but is there anything else that could be doing that?

vetteoz

iTrader: (13)

If solenoid is " clicking ' then power is getting to the solenoid so ign switch / relay /wiring must be working.
Quick check
run a wire from the starter solenoid terminal ( purple wire ) to the Batt
and touch wire on batt Pos + terminal.
If you get the same clicking , then have low power to starter.
If however starter now works correctly, you have a power drop on the circuit from Ign switch that operates the solenoid so it won't lock in.

From what you are describing , the solenoid is operating, closing the contacts to starter motor but there is not enough power there for starter to turn.
If batt is proven good , then you have the problem I mentioned above with a bad connection somewhere on the heavy batt cables.
Check / clean / tighten each end especially earth cable from batt Neg to block

ninetyone

iTrader: (2)

I am trying to tell you that i went through the same thing for over a year. I even bypassed my starter enable relay etc, etc. Sometimes it would take me like ten tries to get my car started. You never knew on which try it would start. LOL. I bypassed all the testing and just got a push button switch. Goes right to the starter. Vetteoz has the right idea. I even replaced my neg. battery cable, and it didn't work. I think to this day it is my positive battery cable. They can get hidden corrosion inside. I bet yours looks burnt inside.

justcallmeclassy

iTrader: (1)

Vetteoz, where is this purple wire? The starter? Cause everything there is black for me lol. Of course I have random wires running everywhere that I recently wrapped and organized, the possitive cable is black and vise versa, everything is litterly jack with all of my wiring and I've just tried to ignore it for so long...

Ninetyone how exactly did you rig up this button? Straight from the starter to where? I figure the battery but my understanding off our cars electrical systems is, well, poor.

also its pretty embarrassing when that would happen am I right lol. Youll be sittin there bunch of people admiring your car and stuff, then.... CLICK, CLICK, CLICK,CLICKCLICKCLICK,... CLICK, VROOM! lol

ninetyone

iTrader: (2)

He is talking about the small purple wire on the starter. I know how embarrasing that is when your car won't start, believe me. That is why i bought a 12 volt push button switch from Napa and ran some heavy gauge wire to the starter. Disconnect your negative battery cable and your positive to be safe. Now, follow the positive battery cable directly to your starter. Connect a wire there and then look above that and you will see the small purple wire. Connect another wire there. Now if you touch those two wires together your car should start. That is why i used a push button switch and mounted it inside my car. Now, you could use a screwdriver and just touch those two bolts together,but it is harder on our cars ,because it requires you to go under the car. My point is, if your car starts like this then the problem is not your starter. I made the mistake of replacing my starter too.

ZZ3 Z28

I've had that clicking when I turn the key to the run position--one before start-- since I bought the car in 1986. It is not the starter because I've had at least three starters on, the latest being a high torque mini-starter. It's not the fuel pump, two of those, and not the engine either, I have a GMPP crate engine. I've replaced several solenoids under the hood since 1995 and nothing changes. It is under the hood and not any where near the steering column or interior.

Several of my friends have looked at this and the clicking has never affected starting or running. Nothing I've ever changed has ever changed the clicking. It has not bothered me but it seems to bother people who have never heard my Camaro start before. I've given up long ago to look for something that does not affect how my car starts or runs. At least I know that when I turn the key to the run position that the clicking is telling me whatever is clicking it is still working.

When the clicking stops is when I will get nervous.

If you are so predisposed in locating the clicking I suggest you purchase a stethescope and listen to each module to find the offending clicker.

.

justcallmeclassy

iTrader: (1)

Differnet situation here. The clicking is the starter. Anyway my cables were ****, so I replaced both of them. Still clicks after new battery starter and cables. Where is that ignition switch at and do I have to do anything special to change it or just a simple swap?

seibertjd

Your ignition switch provides 12v to the starter solenoid when you turn your key all the way to the right. More than likely it would involve taking the steering wheel off and the sleeve for the steering column. It isn't terribly hard to do, but it does take some time if you have never done it before. Check with a multimeter and make sure you are getting 12v to the wire that runs to the S terminal on your starter when someone turns the key.

Rick66

I have same problem, replaced starter, battery, all cables, starter relay, battery terminals, and ignition switch and it still clicks and no body seems to no what the problem is, yet it looks like a common one lol 😂

Rick66

If you add a push button would that not mess up the vats system, or do you still keep the original ignition wire connected to the starter 🤔🤔🤔