Thread: Won't Start

Hey guys. I got a 1999 Grand Prix GT, top swapped with a VS cam, headers and intake. The past few weeks, it felt as though the starter was getting weak. I would try start it, and it wouldn't turn over. I'd give it a second try and it would work. Today, the car won't turn over at all. All I hear is a click. I replaced the starter with one I pulled from an auto wrecker. Still having the same issue. The battery voltage is 12.65 right now. Any ideas?

I even tried jump starting the battery. Still nothing. I guess I could try another battery. I think I have a spare.

Load tested the battery. The cold cranking amps were about 300 lower than what it was rated for. I bought a new battery, installed it and I'm still having the same problem. I jump started the car today and it did start, and it ran fine. I shut it off and tried to start it again, and nothing. Just the starter solenoid "click". Wtf.

Sh*tty battery cables maybe?

While I was at work, my dad noticed the starter was arcing when it didn't want to crank. Occasionally it wouldn't arc, and it would crank and start. What would cause that?

My other starter was probably doing the same thing. I'll throw my old one back in and see what happens I guess.

He said it's the starter-to-solenoid jumper wire that is arcing. I just don't understand... What are the chances that both starters have the same problem?

I took both starters on the bench and tested them. Both solenoids engaged firmly and they both span properly.

Started out of the blue. Like I said, it was getting worse up until it completely died. Occasionally I would go to start, and it wouldn't do anything. Or it would crank slowly and not start. Then I'd shut the key off, retry and it would be fine. I hadn't been playing with the wires at all. I have the three big terminals on the big post and the one small purple wire on the small post.