Car Question

[elcaBob]

All,

My old Toyota is having a problem and its driving me nuts.
The car will not crank, but makes just one 'click'. This leads me to believe solonoid issue. I changed out all the solonoid contacts and plunger with a new kit.
It jumps just fine... every time. This leads me to think bad battery. I had it tested and Auto Zone said it was fine.

So, do you think Autozone did a poor test on the battery, or did the solonoid rebuild just not work?

Thanks!!!

 

[okietool]

I've had batteries test ok before and then when you do replace them the car starts fine.
I always jump started the car then drove it down and they tested it.
You might try pulling the battery out next time it just goes click and test it before it has any opportunity to charge.

 

[1krr]

Honestly sounds like a battery to me but double check your cables to make sure nothing is loose or corroded anyway.

 

[farmerbyron]

Check your cable connections. Not just at the battery but where it grounds.

 

[elcaBob]

Will do. Thanks, all.

 

[dennishoddy]

I had a battery work fine when on level ground, but fail when on an incline. Something to think about.

The test to see if its your solenoid or the starter is to take a jumper cable when it won't start and go straight from the battery positive cable to the cable where it enters the starter.
If the starter runs, its the solenoid. If it doesn't run, it could still be your battery. Find a spare battery and test the starter again with a jumper cable.

 

[Old Timer]

This happened to my tundra. The battery checked good, and everything looked good.
I ended up swapping batteries, and it stayed with the Tundra.
Just for kicks, I used a wire brush on the inside of the battery terminal posts, that fixed it.
Drove me nuts for a while though.

 

[ignerntbend]

The cynic might ask if the battery is under warranty with AutoZone. Is AutoZone laughing behind someone's back? the cynic might ask.

 

[Dave70968]

Could be a dead starter motor. Solenoid is activating to send it power, but it's either failed electrically or frozen mechanically.

 

[travisstorma]

All,


It jumps just fine... every time. This leads me to think bad battery. I had it tested and Auto Zone said it was fine.

Thanks!!!

As in jump starts?

If so, battery or connection between battery and cables.