Okay, so I'm on my third (used) starter and I'm starting to get sick of this.

Basically, it just clicks and doesn't turn over. The battery terminals are new and the leads are all clean so that can be checked off. The starter has been bench tested and was installed correctly, starter terminals spotless, check.

Now, this is where it gets a bit strange. The car used to be super easy to bumpstart, then occasionally it'll be difficult to bumpstart it and when it does finally start, it wants to die on idle and then corrects itself to running lean(er than normal) at 14ish AFRs whereas it usually starts up fine it sits nicely at 12.8. No idea what that's about.

Could my issue be neutral safety switch? I figured it could possibly be a gummed up(?) ignition cylinder. No idea if that's even a real thing. Not speaking for the AFR issue, but just the starting in general. As for the AFR thing I haven't touched the idle enrichment screw whatsoever, it just began doing that on its own.

If anyone has any insight to any of these problems that'd be great.

 

Do you have a multimeter?

If not, get one as it will save you time and money.

If the solenoid is clicking, then you have an issue between the battery and starter, or inside the starter.

The Starter solenoid is actuated from 12v coming from the "start" position at the key. The solenoid itself is a giant relay of sorts as it provides 12v to the starter motor when it engages. If the solenoid is operating properly, as it seems by your description, the only thing left is to check if you have proper 12v and ground at the motor. The motor itself has nothing but a fat wire between it and the battery, minus the solenoid since we know that is good. Get under the car and test at the B+ terminal on the starter. It should have 12.6v on it at all times.

If that tests good, then I'd question the motor itself. If it's an optima starter from orielly or some other cheap garbage, toss it and cut your losses. Then, go spend a few more bucks on a bosch unit and call it a day.

 

Perfect, just what I was looking for. I already have a multimeter so I'll get cracking this weekend and figure this thing out. Thanks!

 

I've read several threads on this. Search "sticky Starter" There is a bypass trick that fixes this issue

 

His solenoid is making noise, so we know it isnt sticky starter. The factory starter kill relay for the factory alarm is on the key side, between the key and solenoid. If it was sticky starter, he would not have "click".

 

Bingo. I've searched up on the sticky starter stuff, not the case here. The frontrunner at the moment is a worn out neutral safety switch. If I put the car in neutral and turn the key all the way and pump the clutch after about 10 'pumps' the car begins to turn over like normal. I'll fix that and then report back.

 

Easy fix to bypass the switch there, unless you would like to keep it.

 

earth strap from gearbox to body ??

 

Holding the key and pumping the clutch does the same thing as turning the key over and over again. I still think your problem is because your solenoid isn't getting enough amps to firmly close. That is what the sticky starter thread is all about a mod so those amps can get to the solenoid.