'98 SL2 w/ 199,000 mi. Wont Start. One click when key turned to Start

[mattalvy14]

My '98 SL2 automatic wont start. No cranking when key turned to start. Just a single click and then nothing. Tried to jump start with another vehicle and no difference. I removed the starter and had it tested at autozone. They said it tested fine. Is it possible the starter could still be bad even though the in-store test showed it to be good?

Battery at 12.4 volts using my multimeter. Took battery to AZ and they tested it at 12.45 volts. They couldn't tell me what the CCAs were at.

Constant hot wire to starter shows same volts as battery. Have not checked volts to S-terminal yet while trying to start. Tried to use a jump wire from battery directly to S-terminal, but same single click and then nothing (except some sparks).

Perfromed the neutral safety switch test as described on the Autozone website: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/rep...00c1528017e6ea. It seemed to show the switch was good, but I don't know if this test is legit or not. Have tried starting in Park and Neutral. Have also tried wiggling shift lever while trying to start. No difference with either attempt. Does anyone have another testing procedure I can try?

Radio, wipers, etc. work as usual with key in ACC position. All dash lights, chime, and driving lights come on as usual with key in ON position and all go off when key turned to START position.

Vehicle is not equipped with RKE system. No power windows, door locks, etc. Rear defroster has been intermittent since I got the vehicle about 4 years ago. I have always assumed it is a problem with the switch and haven't messed with it.

All fuses (under hood and inside vehicle) are good. "CHIME" fuse was blown when I checked, but replaced and is still okay. Didn't notice anything different with new fuses though.

Please help if you can.

[stageone]

Even if they tested it at Auto Zone I would say you need a new starter. The kids that work there rarly know much about what they are doing and in the past when I was forced to go there I had to show the store manager how to use their tester because he could not figure it out and was wasting my time thumbing thru the insrtuction manual. If you hit the key and the click you hear is the starter bendix kicking out and engaging the flywheel everything else is in good order. The starter may "test" ok on a bench, the bedix kicks out and spins, but that is without having to turn the motor over, just freewheeling. When it is in the car it engages the flywheel and no longer has the power to roll the engine over and would explaine your problem.

Good luck!