So when I put power to my starter it sounds like is clicking but the gear isn't spinning. It sounds like it is getting jammed.. Tried tapping it with a hammer but has anyone encountered something similar? I think I may just need a new starter..

can anyone confirm?

 

Have you re-wired any part of the starting system or done any recommended fixes for the "click, click start problem"? Try checking voltage at the starter? My car used to that that every time (but would always start after several attempts), I made my own Pettit style starter booster and it 100% fixed the problem.

 

Are you applying power straight to the starter with a jumper wire or are you talking about when you turn the key?

If 1, then something might be up with the starter or your voltage to crank the starter is low. Many times it's just the solenoid in the starter, find a local starter/alternator repair shop and they can fix it better than new for a very reasonable price.

If #2, then look into the click click start problem. Very common. I tried EVERYTHING on my car to fix my problem and finally just made a starter booster. Have had no problems since.

Dale

 

Applying power straight to the starter with a jumper wire.

The click click start problem I' not sure If I had. But Just to be sure I already used a Jumper wire for the Starter Cut relay to no avail...but i'll have to look into the starter booster...

 

What is the voltage at the large terminal at the starter (the one the main battery feed goes to)?

Are you jumping a small wire to the spade terminal?

If so, and it is just clicking and a BFH wont fix it you will have to change the starter or have it rebuilt. I would sugest getting one from Ray and sending the old one back as a core. I would not use a starter rebuilder unless you KNOW they do good work and do not use cheap parts. Many shops are hit and miss as you know with the rear diff debacle you had. Mazda would be the person I would go with.

 

I Havn't checked the voltage at the large terminal at the starter. Just hit it with a test light.

And yes I jumped the small wire to the spade terminal just using my screw driver.

They want 70 bucks locally to repair it... I could just source another one though.
I'll call ray and see how much they're going for.

 

Actually I'm going to take the starter to autozone real quick.. they'll test it for free and I'll go from there

 

^ That's is probably the best thing to do, you cant loose.

 

could be a faulty solenoid but most likely the starter motor is dead.

be sure you can rotate the engine by hand also.

 

^ I think the posi and negative terminal posts are faulty.. The motor isn't dead because it moved for a split second... But the solenoid has definitely seen better days. The test guy was kinda......not so smart.. I had to set it up myself even though those machines are dummy proof haha. SOOO New starter time!

- Ap

 

well a quick test of the motor itself simply consists of grounding the starter case and attaching the positive terminal to the solenoid end where the starter motor cable attaches to. i generally just use jumper cables to a car battery, carefully.

 

Yea I tried that before I took it to autozone. Solenoid seemed bound up... heard an audible clunk..and then nothing. Tried it a few times hoping it would free up. But Now that I think about it. I think I remember it falling off my work bench which was a good 3-4 feet off the concrete. It is dense and heavy so i'm assuming that did it.