About every 5th or 6th time I try to start my 92 RS all I get is a click. It will do this for 4 or 5 tries and then start just fine. And then I wil not have any trouble for 5 or 6 starts. Anybody have this happen to them? I have a Clifford Alarm with a remote starter, but I don't know if this is related.

 

I'd bet it's your starter... On the way out most likely. Usually if you get a click like that and it won't start, if you get underneath and give the starter a good wack with a hammer, it shakes things up inside enough to get 'er to turn over.

 

I have that problem. Usually after the car gets nice and hot it does it. after a long drive. It will just go "click" from somwhere inside the driver side fender... Its a bad selenoid or fuse or somthing who knows... its stranded me a few times, and its getting worse. If you find the problem, let me know, Ive got a 1989 RS camaro with a 305 TBI engine. I have that problem. Usually if i just let the car sit for a while with no accessories on at all it will start right up in some minutes later.

please tell me if you find the problem, its making me want to ditch the computer.

 

I had this problem with a Jeep-- It would just click and do nothing, give it a few trys and it'd start. Evetnuatlly it completely gave out... gave the starter a wack, up 'n running. It is a bad solenoid, in the starter. Hitting w/a hammer moves things around enough to make it work a little more.

 

Well My problem is NOT starter related, it has to do with the computer in some way. Ive already replaced my starter...

 

Sounds like bye bye bendix, bye bye starter.

 

I've seen that same problem in 3 month old starters. How do you know it's not the starter? Next time it happens, try giving the relay and starter a little whack and see what happens.

 

Speaking of whacking... :hail: that avatar!

:hail: IROC-Z

 

Because Ive hooked a manual start button to the starter so when this happens i can turn over the car manually, therefore, it is NOT the starter.
Any other questions? Now if you find the problem, once again, LET ME KNOW. it is NOT the starter.

 

One of the things that makes a problem like this hard to diagnose is its inconsistancy-- You said youself it doesn't happen all the time, USUALLY just when it gets warmed up. But not all the time. Next time it happens give the starter a hit! My money is still on the starter. Like i say; it may not be completely dead yet, but definitely on the way out.

Good Luck

 

This exact problem just happened to my wifes van today. Sometimes the van would start, sometimes it would just make a "clicking" sound. Guess what........I went and bought a new starter and it starts everytime now.

 

To me, it sounds like the starter silenoid is going bad.

 

Is the battery dead? you'd be surprised.

 

Worn out brushes

 

yea i had the same problem it was my dead battery

 

once the battery is dead it won't ever start until you recharge/replace the battery. this is just a matter of waiting a while and eventually it starts with no problem.

 

Think about what your topic says. "clicking not turning over" What does that mean ? One of two things... it clicks because the solenoid is engaging but the battery doesnt have enough AMPS to turn the starter motor OR the solenoid again engages but the starter motor is simply not turning because the connection isnt made inside the starter. But then you say sometimes it DOES start. So that leaves you with option numeber 2. REPLACE the starter !

 

Its nott he starter in MY case, usually i agree CLicking + not turning over = start / battery. Ive replaced both, and the STARTER is NOT CLICKING the CLICKS are coming from INSIDE THE CAR under the fuse panel, and you can hear the clicks from OUTSIDE THE CAR just under the hood by the Steering column. I will try to get a pic of where its coming from. When this "clicking but not starting" occurs, the manual starter button works fine, the engine turns over, and fuel pump goes, all the lights work, the stereo and everything is just fine. I even smell gas coming from the injectors. yes, there is spark, i pulled a plug and got shocked like hell. the car simply wont start for a few minutes. I sit there, and wait, oh maybe 5 minutes, then suddenly WALAA the car starts again. Its pissing me off.

 

hmm... please forgive the following highly technical comment... Now that's damned peculiar!

 

I have the same problem with my car. If I keep trying it, it will eventually start within 5 to 6 clicks. It is not heat related as I've had it happen when the car was cold and heat soak doesn't really affect the selinoid, it raises the resistance in the wires which requires more amperage from your battery; of which you may not have enough.
Anyway, I remember someone saying something about a service bullitin and not getting enough voltage from the ing switch. Some people use a remote selinoid like on a ford and put a piece of metel between the two starter posts to short the starter. I believe this works so well because the stand alone selinoid doesn't have as much of a draw to engage. And yes, it isn't near any heat.

Afterthought - did you ever check the starter relay?

Jess

 

Well I have replaced the starter and the battery and still have the same problem. I think maybe the starter relay may be the way to go on this one. I will check it out.