need help with my friends car

Hey whats up everyone? I'm completely new to this forum, I'm usually in the Mistu Eclipse forums...Anyway my friend just bought a 1989 Pontiac Trans Am Firebird w/ the 5.7L V8. When we picked it up, the guy had it on a charger "charging the battery" as he said...Well he finally got it started (it didn't sound too good when it was turning over), but the engine sounded good and strong after a few revs. Well I had to drive it for him because he hasn't got his license yet...We went to eat, came back out and it was hard as hell to start, but finally did...Went about an hour down the road to a gas station. Turned the car off, came back out, tried starting it. It started to turn over, then quit...Tried it again and nothing happened...Got it towed to my house and still won't start. When we try starting it, all we hear is a click from under the hood. After that, nothing. Tried replacing the battery after unsuccesful attempts of jumping it. Nothing. I'm thinking it could possibly be his ignition switch? But I don't know because I know nothing about these cars. All of his spark plug wires look good, and everything else looks fine. Anyone have any clue of what could be wrong?

Thanks for any help

It is probably the starter...if its clicking it sounds like the solenoid is going bad or is bad. Check that out first...dont just slap a strter on it though. Put it in the air and slide under the car. Then short the starter with a screwdriver to bypass the ignition/starting system...if it turns over then, you know the problem is somewhere else.

is the security light on while your trying to start it? it could be that..

do an altinator output test. The altinator could be weak.

alright thanks...i tried to short the starter, and nothing happened...so i started to pull the starter, got all the bolts and wires off....now i'm just trying to figure out how to get it the hell outta there lol....it's in a real tight place

ok i got the starter out finally...pain in the ass to get it out of there, heh...anyway would you guys recommend me rebuilding it or buying a new one? about how much do new ones cost? i know for my eclipse, the dealer wants somewhere around $800 which is insane...i don't think it should cost that much for an 89 trans am starter...

No, the starter on this can't be more than $100 and I doubt it is over $50. I would buy a new one though rather than risk a remanufactured one or rebuilding the one you have.

Take your starter and alternator (probably one or the other) to advance auto parts (hehe i work there) and get it tested for free. They got brand new or factory refurbished starters/alternators for under $150.00.

ok we got a new starter today....now the question is....what is the easiest way to get this thing back up in there? i've been working my ass off to try and get it in there. i finally got it above the exhaust and having it sit up there, now i have to turn it around and seat it properly, then bolt it....i can't figure it out for the life of me...