1997 lesabre starter question

[redsoxvw]

the starter on my wifes lesabre is starting to act up the last couple months....first it was the occasional no start the first couple trys...just click click....now for a while i had to tap the starter and it would be ok...which convinces me its definitly the starter.....but latley all i do is hold the key in the start position for like 10 seconds and it works.......( if i just try to start it clicks.....if i hold the key forward like im trying to start it...it will go about 5-10 seconds then start).....Ive heard a few people having solnoid problems...so im wondering if thats it?????....how would any of you diagnose this???? Thanks in advance and sorry for such a long post just trying to be descriptive

[polarzak]

Had a similar problem with an old Chev. By holding the key, I was sure things were heating up, and finally current was getting through to the solenoid. If this is the same problem as I had, take the wires off at the solenoid and give them a good cleaning. Might do the trick for you.
If that doesn't work, try bypassing the solenoid, and if the starter spins, my GUESS is you have a solenoid problem. (Don't spin the starter motor for more than a couple of seconds, or you could damage it) No spin,
would then be a starter motor problem.