Learning to start my car all over again

[Caddynut]

My 92 Seville has steadily been getting worse at starting. I have had 2 new keys made and it still has the same problem. I insert the key in the ignition and it clicks the starter and quits. I have to do this about 3 times and it will start right up. I first thought the old key chip was going bad, but now wonder if either the key fob unit is going or something in the ignition switch. Please help. thanks.

[Ranger]

I would lean more towards the battery, battery cables or solenoid.

[BodybyFisher]

The starter clicking makes me think you have a solenoid problem

[johnnydone]

check your positive cable for tightness it could be loose sometimes the bolt bottoms out

[adallak]

If starter clicks your keys are okay. I have the same problem with a rebuild ACDelco starter. Sometimes it takes 10 clicks to start the car, but usually it either starts right away or from the second attempt. All cables connections are fine.

[Caddynut]

battery is new and starts right up. It seems to be that you insert the key turn it and the starter clicks then it shuts the juice off immediately to the starter. Well, the starter is original (I assume) and the car has 153,000 mile on it. I will start checking the solenoid. Does anyone think it could be the electronics that read the key chip?

[WarrenJ]

Does anyone think it could be the electronics that read the key chip?

The "clicking" you hear indicates the electronics have allowed the start cycle. I wouldn't worry about interference from the anti-theft system.

Regards,

Warren

[BodybyFisher]

I don't believe its the security system you would get nothing, no click, if I am not mistaken. Typically that would set a code also.

A solenoid is like a big relay or switch on the starter. On a GM car the solenoid pulls a plunger using magnetism, the plunger moves the starter drive into the flywheel, at that point (at full insertion) there is a disk switch that contacts, energizing the starter itself. When that switch is bad, the solenoid will move the starter drive into position (the click you hear) and the disk switch will not make contact as the contacts are burned, and the starter motor will not be energized. So you hear a click and nothing else, typically the click is the starter drive moving into the flywheel.

What bothers me is something you are saying, that the clicking stops? Explain that in detail to me, your statement that is shuts off juice to the starter is a bit confusing. Does the starter turn briefly and stop. If you turn the key back off, will it click again?, and again? If you hold the key in the start position what happens? Do you loose power to the dash? Understand that if the solenoid switch is bad, the starter will turn momentarily or not at all if the contacts are damaged.

This is sounding like solenoid or starter related to me. But explain exactly what happens again.

[Ranger]

Does anyone think it could be the electronics that read the key chip?

The "clicking" you hear indicates the electronics have allowed the start cycle. I wouldn't worry about interference from the anti-theft system.

Regards,

Warren

I'm with Warren.

[Caddynut]

Well, I will turn the key....I hear a "quick" click from the starter and nothing else....the electrical system still has power, so I know the connection between the battery and cable is good, otherwise, it would click and I would lose everything. Once it clicks and nothing happens, I let loose of the key from "start" position back into "on" and try again......somtimes it does it again....sometimes it starts. A solenoid might be the answer....but just a question of electronics too. confusing.

[BodybyFisher]

Sounds like solenoid to me...., given you have a 92 however, replacing just the solenoid at this point might be short sighted, you might want to change the starter with an AC DELCO rebuilt unit... Good Luck

[WarrenJ]

Try starting your car with the high beams on. Let us know what happens where headlamp brightness is concerned.

Regards,

Warren

[BodybyFisher]

Here is a blow up of the Delco Remy starter (same as yours) from my 1974 Chiltons, I circled the contact area in the solenoid...the plunger pushes that rod so that the disk makes contact with the 12V power and the starter lead, when the disk or contacts get worn or corroded you get a click without starter turn, multiple tries will typically turn the starter, Mike

[adallak]

Nice picture, Mike. Th eswitch could be a culprit. Another possibility is a bad contact between one or several brushes and the commutatore on the armature. Clicking solenoid shakes a little bit the whole thing and eventually the brushes make a better contact enabling the starter motor to rotate. It might explain why sometimes it starts either right away ot after one or several clicks.

[BodybyFisher]

Adallak the clicking or banging by the plunger also causes the round contact to make batter contact with the 12V and starter lead, I have taken solenoids apart and the contacts get blown apart and blackened by the repetitive electric current and the wear out and become intermittant, but your brushes issue is a good possibility also...

The way to tell if its the solenoid is to put a jumper (read screwdriver) between the 12V post the the starter lead (effectively bypassing the solenoid), if the starter runs immediately, its the solenoid... if the starter does not run, its the starter as Adallak notes..

In either case, given that this is a 92 and given the work involved, unless it looks brand new, I would just replace the starter which comes with a new solenoid..once you diagnose the problem

[adallak]

Adallak the clicking or banging by the plunger also causes the round contact to make batter contact with the 12V and starter lead, I have taken solenoids apart and the contacts get blown apart and blackened by the repetitive electric current and the wear out and become intermittant, but your brushes issue is a good possibility also...

The way to tell if its the solenoid is to put a jumper (read screwdriver) between the 12V post the the starter lead (effectively bypassing the solenoid), if the starter runs immediately, its the solenoid... if the starter does not run, its the starter as Adallak notes..

In either case, given that this is a 92 and given the work involved, unless it looks brand new, I would just replace the starter which comes with a new solenoid..once you diagnose the problem

I agree. Unfortunately, the new ACDelco starters are expensive. Besides, I had that clicking issue with my rebuilt ACDelco in a month or so after installation. I have got recently another rebuilt starter from Advance, but removing and installing starters is not very fun and you never know how the new one will work. So, I probably will stick with that one-year-old starter since it eventually starts.

[Caddynut]

I appreciate the all of the information. I will let you know what I find out. Thanks