happyhapka

1986 TPI trans am.


ok so just started last night I had a problem where I would turn the key on and the car would not start, so I go to check stuff out under the hood. I jiggle the wires to the starter and it starts than dies right off, so I jiggle the wires again and all the starter does is click click click but faster than normal. I wiggle the wires again, the car starts and gets me home.... so out of curiosity I try to start and shes dead again and notice the battery was hitting less than 8 volts on my guage while I leave my key on enginge off I jiggle the wires again, I go back and look at the guage my guage says 12.5 I try to start and it clicks again.. .. this battle goes on for a little bit.. I than grab a screw driver and with the key on engine off I connect the power post on the starter solenoid and connect it with the little post on the starter solenoid and it starts.... I than turn it off and my buddy comes over to help. as hes looking I go to start it and he sees smoke coming from the main power post from the starter solenoid as it clicks. tried it again theres more smoke. I confirmed it my self every time we go to start it there is white smoke coming from the main power post on the solenoid and all it does is click...


would this be a starter problem? I did notice that just before this started happening as the car was starting I kept hearing the clicking noise as it was turning over, (like when your battery is low and its cold outside it clicks as it turns over but fast because my battery is good.)


any idea? im replacing the starter today but wanted any other ideas to look at... it is a new starter so it has a warranty.


thanks