pathans29

If the solenoid can be bypasses that should do it. It would prove the problem is getting B+ to the starter, if it starts OK.

Thanks for the cable suggestion. It makes sense. I can check the V at the solenoid & compare w/ V at the battery during cranking (or clicking). Nice pics. My old contacts were not nearly that worn which started my suspicions. Thanks for all the replies. P

From my experience if the timing belt is broke then it will crank noticeably faster which I attribute to the reduction of the resistance since the cam, valves & related linkage does not turn. Have you noticed such effect during cranking? You can also check for compression & suction w/ a spark plug removed (compression gauge or finger). Not sure about the "can full of marbles" but it may indicate something broken internally. Did you notice any loss of power or other symptom that last day you drove it?

well, i ended up getting a rebuild starter & cleaned all the connections along the way as well at the battery cables. I thought it fixed the problem but today it happened again in the rain. It was just cliking for my wife who had to take baby to doctor. I don't understand what else it could be? It sounds to me as if the solenoid is not pulling down the plunger hard enough to make a good contact. Not sure if alarm has anything to do w/ it but I doubt it since I hear the solenoid clik. I've only had this vehicle for 4 months & I'm haviing second thoughts. The mpg is not that great either & I'm not really sure how much safer an AWD is. I kind of wished i kept my Vigor...

I've been having the same problem w/ my 97 OB. I ended up replacing the solenoid contacts & it got worse so I figured it must be the starter possibly a bad connection throught there. I got another starter & I thought I was good but now (2 weeks later) it did it again just like you said a clik. I figured that clik is the solenoid contacts getting closed but no start. The battery is ruled out since when it does work it cranks right up, no hesitation. Alternator is fine I'm measuring 14.2V with engine running. So I'm running out of ideas. It maybe related to the rain as it was out in the rain today. I do not have any other electical problems. Would the alarm have anything to do w/ it? But if the solenoid closes then there is nothing else in the way from what I know. Previous starter was not working when hot, after the engine was running for a while & I thought for sure it was the solenoid.

I have a similar problem on my 97 OB. Sometimes I just get a clik (solenoid contacts) but no starter action. I figured it's the contacts so I got the rebuild kit but now that I replaced them it seems to be worse so I'm not sure any more. I re-opened the solenoid multiple times, reset the contacts to be level w/ the armature (center), cleaned them w/ alcohol & wet rag. It works fine outside of the car (no load) but once installed it only clicks. I charged the battery fully & even jumped it w/ another known good battery from my other vehicle but still nothing. Is it that coplicated to get a good contact? I also checked all other contacts to the solenoid. The only thing possibly left is the return path which I think is through the starter & then to ground. Does that mean I should replace the whole starter? The car is not that old & the starter is a rebuild one already so it's been replaced at least once. It is frustrating...