Hi all...
I have a '91 Taurus L...78k miles...my battery light came on a couple of weeks ago...I replaced the battery, the light was still on, so I replaced the alternator as well (and discovered a broken ring connector, which I also replaced). That worked until 2 days ago, I got in the car and got just a click-click-click-click kind of noise. I replaced the solenoid (sp) and now I'm not getting the rapid clicking...just one click. Best way to describe it is like I'm stopping turning the key right before it should turn over (but I'm turning it all the way trying to start it)...should a new starter motor solve this? Looks like I've replaced everything else I can other than the starter (new spark plugs and wires as well). Also, where is the starter located, and is it going to be particularly difficult to replace? Thank you so much!!!!

Or, could it be something as simple as the battery getting drained from the bad alternator, even though the battery was only about 4 days old when I replaced the alternator and the bad ring connector???

Are you positive you installed the solenoid properly? What's the battery voltage?

Pretty sure...a friend actually did it for me...he's done work on my mom's car (including her starter and solenoid)...he just doesn't know anything about the taurus starter. His amperage reader showed 12 volts.

Make sure the cables are clean at tight, at the battery and at the alternator.

Do you have a voltmeter or DMM? If so, monitor the battery voltage at the battery posts while someone attempts to start the car. If the battery voltage drops below 10.3, then you have a battery with either an insufficient charge or with a bad cell. Well, there is also a chance that the starter is shorted but in my experience that is rather rare.

If the battery voltage remains around 11-12 Vdc, then it would seem you have an open somewhere or a bad connection, either at the battery or the starter.

-Rod

I'll find someone who has one and we can try that...so chances are I probably don't need a new starter itself? Just either a bad battery or a bad connection somewhere? I'm just worried because I can get a new starter, I just can't find anyone that can fix it for me other than taking it to a shop, but I can't afford the labor costs. Thanks!

You said it only clicks once when you try to start it. This is probably the solenoid clicking. Trace the wire that runs from the solenoid to the starter, and inspect it for chaffing and make sure it's connection to the starter is good. If you still don't locate the problem, I recommend removing the starter and having it tested(many autoparts stores will test it for free).

I'll try that, too...I'll post when I can get that checked out :) Thanks

I got the wires checked out (by someone else) and they looked fine...he jump started the car, drove it around a bit, and now it works great. After he got it going, I went back to the auto store and had them load test the battery and it was low, so I used my handy dandy warranty and got a new one...so it looks like I just drained the battery driving around with the bad alternator. Thanks for your help though, I was really not looking forward to having to find someone to fix the starter :)