Touching a powered wire to the terminal with the wire that just goes back into the starter is giving the starter power without going thru anything else. Did you touch the powered wire to the smallest terminal with the thin wire? I was a bit un clear about that.

 

Yeah I tried that first. I noticed that when my friend turns they key to start, the relay clicks once. When he turns the key off, the relay clicks again.

 

That's good, means the relay is getting power, and that it is functional inside of there.

Also means that there's nothing wrong with the path to the fuse box, the problem lies some where else. Possibly a seized starter/solenoid. Have a buddy go turn the key to the "start" position, and get under the heep and give the startor and solenoid a firm tap with the hammer.

 

That's good to hear. So that means it's not the nss, or ignition switch right?

I ahd a buddy turn the key, and I smacked the starter and solenoid, but nothing happened. The starter is good, I watched the parts store bench test it 3 times and pass. Although when I bench tested it, nothing happened (jumping the small wire to big). I'm thinking solenoid.

I'm gonna have my buddy turn the key, and I'm going to test the voltage going to the solenoid, the small wire. I'm getting a constant 12.3V to the big wire coming from the battery.

 

You've eliminated alot of things ...its looking like yur gonna have to get yur self a new solenoid, try harder for them to replace it, or maybe call the manufacturer of the starter and complain to them that your local parts store is not honoring yur warranty.

 

definately solenoid. I'd bet that it's a 95% chance that it is the 'noid with the amout of stuff you've gotten out of the equation...

That other 5% is that the motor is completely seized...

 

Got the new solenoid and it started right up! I'm kind of cautious though, when I initially bought my new starter, it came with a new solenoid. The solenoid went out within 3 starts, I just want to make sure it doesn't go out again. I don't want to end up stranded on my way home for spring break

 

Thats BS did they honer your warrenty?

 

No, every time I brought it in, they bench tested it and passed, and refused to honor it. I talked to the manager and he said it was against company policy to use a warranty on a perfectly working unit. This was at kragen, I ended up going to autozone, and picked up the solenoid. Worked like a charm.

 

Of course the starter will pass when they bench test it, did they even look at the 'noid?

 

They claimed that because they hooked it up with the small wire and the battery cable, and it ran, that the solenoid was perfect. I'm over it, I'm just glad my car is running. I've started it about 25 times so far, and no problems. I think I'm set.

 

I'm having pretty much the same problem but am not quite understanding something. when i use the ignition i get no click or anything, even with the battery jumped to a running vehicle (4.3L V6). but it i arc the small terminal to the terminal where the battery cable connects it fires rigth up (with other vehicle at 1500 rpm). does this mean the solinoid is good or could be bad?

i used a test light to test the power to the relay and it is good.
new battery cables, new starter, good fuses, clean and functioning mounting surfaces.

thanks for any help

 

I would take another look at that relay....try to replace it with one u know is working and see what happens.

 

i tried switching the relays around in the fuse box. i'm assuming they are all the same, idk. i heard a click from the starter once and that was it. if i start it by arcing the starter then the next two times i turn the key on i can here a noise coming from the direction of the relays. whether it is the relay or not i cant be sure since i'm alone at the moment. but it only makes the noise the first two times until i start the engine again (by arcing the starter). i'm pretty sure the relay is getting power since if i balance the test light in there and hit the ignition it will light up.

 

so someone suggested trying it in neutral, which i thought i'd tried before, but i went and tried again and it turned over. tried it in park and turned again so i put the jumpers back on and it started right up. not sure if there will still be problems in the future but is seems to have magically worked this time.

Thanks for your help