Starter Clicking: Need Diagnosis!

The starter on my '89 Sub is having issues. It seems that the starter motor is starting to sieze up as I can hear a click when I turn the key but the engine won't crank. The connections are good, and here's the kicker: When the truck wouldn't start one time, we hooked it up to the car to boost it, and it fired after a few more tries, so here's my theory. I think that my battery (which is brand new and has more power than the last one) has a bit of a drain, so it's not always operating at peak performance. And if the starter is going, then it needs that extra kick of more cranking amps to be going to the starter. The hammer test isn't going to work as there really isn't any room to get in a good swing. I'm guessing that his means it's time to replace the starter? Unless anyone has some other idea as to what the problem is.

Also, if anyone knows how to check for an electrical drain and would like to pass it on to me, it would be greatly appreciated

Chantz, you can very easily check for a current drain if you have a volt meter that will measure amps. All you have to do is set the volt meter for current or amps and disconnect one lead from your battery. The ammeter needs to be connected in series with the battery... one lead goes to the battery and the other goes to the cable you took off of the battery. I am sure there is some small drain on the battery but it should be small. Once you do this you can open a door to turn on interior lights and you should see the ammeter read higher. I have no idea what you should see as an acceptable amount of drain. Maybe someone else can chime in and give you that number.

Another check you can do is check the voltage of the battery. With the battery hooked up and the truck running put your volt meter in the DC volts mode. Put the red lead on positive and the black lead on the negative terminal of the battery. If your alternator is working you should see somewhere in the neighborhood of 13.8 volts. Turn your headlights on and turn the engine off. Measure your voltage again. It shouldn't drop below 10 to 11 volts over a several minute period. If it does your battery may be starting to go bad. Since your battery is new it should pass this test easily. You might also want to look at the voltage while someone is cranking the engine. It will drop very low while cranking. Again, I don't know what too low is. Maybe someone else can answer that.

Good luck and I hope this helps a little.

Doug

Thanks for the tips. So crazy it just might work. But any ideas on the starter?

Thats easy!

Take a hammer, yes I said hammer and smack the starter a few times. Nothing crazy just a few smacks.

It should start if its a starter issue, which I think it is.

Sounds like the bushings got worn down.

The hammer trick is short term only, you need to either fix ur starter or buy a new one for 50 bucks.

Easy fix.

Should you do an ammeter load test, be sure your meter can withstand 60 amps or more. The cheesy little meters normally available will read up to 10 amps when correctly connected and you will fry it with the load your starter will draw.

Amp meter? WHY?

Its the starter, smack that thing with a hammer.