Car won't start

**carl06GT** · 01-18-2015

It's a 1998 GT. When I try and start the car all I get is one loud click from the starter. Got the battery checked to make sure it was still good and it has 672 out of 690 CCA. Next step was bang on the starter to see if it would do the trick with no luck. Took the starter off to have tested and it was very weak and was making a terrible grinding noise during disengaging. Bought a new starter and put it in the car and still just getting one loud click when I try to turn the car over. Thought I had got a bad starter so I took it back to the parts store and got a second one and still get the same click. Nick (Blueguy) suggested maybe it was the ICM so swapped one in with no change in my problem. Someone help me before I give up and pay a shop to figure out that it's something small and simple. Thanks in advance.

**Scottydoggs** · 01-18-2015

the one little wire on the starter solenoid. with a test light, see if that wire has power to it when the key is turned to start.

also make sure its on the correct little stud if you have more than one little stud.

**HighOctaneRacing** · 01-18-2015

well a dead crank sensor won't allow the car to start too but let's net get too far ahead. do what scotty says first

**Scottydoggs** · 01-18-2015

crank sensor dont stop it from cranking...only from running.

to the op. if you have no power at the stud try the starter relay ( swap it with another one in the fuse box) . and if thats good you can put a wire to the little stud on the starter, then touch that wire to the battery pos side and the engine will crank. key to run it will fire up. at least you can leave the house and use the car if it comes to it.

**stealthee** · 01-18-2015

If you have power to the wire, and running direct power doesn't want to crank it either you can try smacking the starter with a hammer as someone else tries to crank it. Sometimes the bendix gets stuck.

**carl06GT** · 01-18-2015

I made sure all wires were taken off and put back on correctly. Double checked the make sure they were tight. Looks like I need to go to the store and get a test light. I also tried swapping #11 relay. Which relay are you referring to scott?

**Scottydoggs** · 01-18-2015

if its listed it would be the starter relay. im not 100% familiar with the gp fuse boxes. i got a regal, stuffs close but not always the same under the hood.

**bobc455** · 01-18-2015

I would wire-brush the terminal connections to the battery, just as a double-check.

**thekidinbuff** · 01-18-2015

Originally Posted by bobc455

I would wire-brush the terminal connections to the battery, just as a double-check.

I wouldnt be surprised at all if this is your issue. For some reason, from time to time my Positive terminal becomes corroded and itll just click. Cleaning it up just some easily fixes for a while.

**carl06GT** · 01-20-2015

Battery terminals are clean. I'm at a loss with thing. I'm to the point of taking it to a shop but knowing my luck it will be something small and stupid and cost me some stupid amount of money but at least it will be fixed. lol

**Scottydoggs** · 01-20-2015

you test for power at the starter little wire yet?

or try to jump the starter? you bridge the little stud to the pos cable stud, it will spark, and then the engine will crank. if the key is to run, it will fire up.

that little wire is what tells the starter to work. you turn the key 12 volts go to that little wire and the starter kicks over.

**carl06GT** · 01-21-2015

I I haven't. So do I just take the red clamp on a set of jumper cables and hook it to the little post on the starter and then up to the positive side of the battery while the key is turned to run? Will it actually start the car and run or no?

If it cranks what does that mean?

If it doesn't crank what does that mean?

**Scottydoggs** · 01-21-2015

the pos bat cable is on the starter, its live full time. you bridge the fat cable's stud to the little one with a screw driver, if the fat cable has power and the starter is good it will crank.

**stealthee** · 01-21-2015

If it cranks that means your starter is fine and you are having an issue with the signal wire.

If it doesn't crank then there is either an issue with the starter, or possibly a ground, or another wire issue.

**jcleary82** · 01-21-2015

The kidinbluff hit something about the cables. Mine don't corrode, they just come loose sometimes. The slightest little bit and I get that dammed click lol. But more obviously, have you put a breaker bar and socket on the crank to see if the engines locked up. I had that dreaded sound a few times before.

**jimzssei** · 01-22-2015

Grounds . Got to check those grounds

**BillBoost37** · 01-22-2015

If wiring is a question.. Here's the diagram. Can't believe Scott didn't post it for you.

**Bronco Boy** · 01-22-2015

Originally Posted by HighOctaneRacing

well a dead crank sensor won't allow the car to start

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

crank sensor dont stop it from cranking...only from running.

It's like it's the same thing. LOL

OP, check the connections as mentioned. Sounds like a corrosion issue.

**carl06GT** · 01-22-2015

I will be getting back at it this weekend.

**Scottydoggs** · 01-22-2015

Originally Posted by Bronco Boy

It's like it's the same thing. LOL

OP, check the connections as mentioned. Sounds like a corrosion issue.

its not the same thing at all. the crank sensor tells talks with the cam sensor and icm and thats how you get spark. not a thing to do with cranking the engine over.

now a starter relay is something else.