Drove in to work this morning through pretty heavy rain. Car sat all day and now it won't start. It actually started but died, didn't really start up all the way, just don't think I stayed on the key long enough. When I tried to restart it, nothing, just a loud click from the starter. Tried maybe 10 more times, same result. Checked all fuses, the only notable thing there is the "coolant fan" relay does click at the same time I hear the loud click from the starter. Think I have a bad starter? What's the best way to test that? Maybe a bad solenoid? I'm going to head out to work in about an hour or so with my other car to try and ger her going, had to leave it there Also is it possible that it just got too wet from the rain (the starter)?

 

Well, I went back to work and tried it again, did the same thing (loud click) maybe 15-20 times, but eventually the starter did kick in and it started...drove it home and when I got home and shut her down, same thing when I tried to start it again. 20 or so key turns and it did start but I'm thinking either the starter or solenoid has had it? Battery is fine, about 12.5 volts. Now that it's home tomorrow I'll get a look at the starter connections and ground, make sure everything is tight and not corroded, etc. It's gonna suck if it's the starter, having to drop the Y pipe and what not.

 

It will do that because of low current. The trick is to figure out what is causing the low current. Could be the starter is going bad and pulling way too much. BUT measuring an UNLOADED battery means nothing. What you need to do is measure the voltage across the battery WHILE someone is cranking it over.