1992 3.1 lumina

[pappyfreebird]

clicks once in awhile when start it...not everytime but sometimes more then others click click then spins n runs then may not happin for week or so ...is there a relay somewhere??? or think its simply the starter seliniod goin south?? thanks people the pappy

[Tinman238]

Check the battery cable connections for corrosion and tightness.

[pappyfreebird]

thanks have done that awready the non routine of it had me clean them right away

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by pappyfreebird

thanks have done that awready the non routine of it had me clean them right away

if the starter solenoid clicks and no cranking it is battery, connections to battery/starter, or starter/solenoid is bad. in any case just keep running it until it dies then you will know for sure where to put you efforts. load test battery is what i would do..............

[pappyfreebird]

thanks dudes batterys strong dint use voltmeter cause 27 below here n she starts right up (figure has goodin nuff battery) i hear ya on let her go i rekon its the sel goin south so let her go lil longer thanks again

[john51md]

Originally Posted by pappyfreebird

thanks dudes batterys strong dint use voltmeter cause 27 below here n she starts right up (figure has goodin nuff battery) i hear ya on let her go i rekon its the sel goin south so let her go lil longer thanks again

my question is, did you clean and tighten BOTH ends of BOTH battery cables
or just the battery ends of both?
On a side note, my 91 would click now and then, it was the ign. switch getting worn, depending on just how much you happened to turn the key at any given time, you would either click, or start. Sometimes it isnt the switch going bad really, its all the parts from key to under dash switch getting worn and slop developing, the switch under dash is mounted on a couple small studs, and does have slotted holes in the switch so you can move it a little, way to move it would be up towards steering wheel. Easiest way is remove panel under column, remove bolts holding column up to dash, let steering wheel rest on seat, much easier to get too if you have never been there.

[pappyfreebird]

thank you john and no i only clean the bat ends of posts...freezing here n tried to git by on the easy...its daughters car...will look more when warms a bit ...thanks again..aint never thought of switch,,,has 8 lbs of crap hanging from key chain too!!! pappy

[john51md]

Originally Posted by pappyfreebird

thank you john and no i only clean the bat ends of posts...freezing here n tried to git by on the easy...its daughters car...will look more when warms a bit ...thanks again..aint never thought of switch,,,has 8 lbs of crap hanging from key chain too!!! pappy

Yea, i have seen a load of crap on a key chain screw up a ign lock. And you would be surprised how many guys i have ran across that can pull engines, replace them, decent mechanics, and have a bad charging or a no start condition, and i ask if the checked both ends of the battery cables, and i get a blank stare.. And a lot of times that was just what the problem was. Or a loose charge wire on alternator, or loose, bad, or missing ground from engine to body. or as i said, Ign switch itself.
My father in law replaced a starter, a sol. battery cable ends at battery, and a alternator on a ford truck once before he asked me to look at it. When i did, i pulled up on bottom half of the neg. battery cable, and had the wire in my hand, the terminal on the bottom end, still bolted to the engine.Wire corroded right out of the crimp terminal.
But, in your case, dont neglect that sol. either
And i know about freezing, just put a new strut mount, one lower ball joint on my Z24 in a unheated garage..

[jeffcoslacker]

Mine does that from time to time...I've found if I push on the big copper cable that goes from the solenoid to the starter motor it starts right up...there is a weak connection inside the starter itself...needs a starter but I'm too cheap to do it unless I can't get it to start one day...

[nascartony05]

I have had two Lumina's that will do this from time to time, especially when cold, i just turn the switch off and try it again and it always goes.