Starting issues.

[muleskinner]

Ok, I fix one problem, now I have another. Purchased a new battery for the festy because the other one tested bad. Went to put it in and all it does is click at the starter. Is it a connection issue or a bad starter? The connection is tight so I'm thinking its a bad starter. Do starters normally go bad in the festies? I never had an issue like this on a festy and I'm hoping with someone with experience can help.
When I pop started it with the clutch, the festy runs great!!
The transmission was recently replaced with a good one.

[ryanprins13]

Ok, I fix one problem, now I have another. Purchased a new battery for the festy because the other one tested bad. Went to put it in and all it does is click at the starter. Is it a connection issue or a bad starter? The connection is tight so I'm thinking its a bad starter. Do starters normally go bad in the festies? I never had an issue like this on a festy and I'm hoping with someone with experience can help.
When I pop started it with the clutch, the festy runs great!!
The transmission was recently replaced with a good one.

If the transmission was recently replaced i would assume some grease or dirt got under the wires when you were installing and the ground is bad. Try grounding it directly with booster cables or just remove and clean the grounds since thats a good idea anyway.
Big positive wire on the starter is tight? Can you turn the battery terminals on the posts or are they tight?
Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

[muleskinner]

If the transmission was recently replaced i would assume some grease or dirt got under the wires when you were installing and the ground is bad. Try grounding it directly with booster cables or just remove and clean the grounds since thats a good idea anyway.
Big positive wire on the starter is tight? Can you turn the battery terminals on the posts or are they tight?
Sent from my SM-G920W8 using Tapatalk

The wires on the starter are tight. I cannot turn them at all.

I will check the ground out tomorrow. Any other issues I could look into before I take out the starter?

[Team Lightning]

Try tapping the starter with a hammer/wrench. If it sat for a while during the other repairs it could be a sticking brush or brushes.
Also, make sure the battery is charged.

A low battery could click but not have enough current to turn the motor.

Have you tried jumping it with another vehicle?

[muleskinner]

Try tapping the starter with a hammer/wrench. If it sat for a while during the other repairs it could be a sticking brush or brushes.
Also, make sure the battery is charged.

A low battery could click but not have enough current to turn the motor.

Have you tried jumping it with another vehicle?

Tried taping on it but no start. Still clicked. Battery is fully charged. No, I have not, I just pop started it with the clutch.

[Team Lightning]

Have you tried shorting the solenoid?

[muleskinner]

Have you tried shorting the solenoid?

No, how do you do that & what does that show?

[Team Lightning]

If you short the connection from the terminal on the starter with the battery cable, to the terminal with the starter lead/connection, if the starter turns it mean an issue with the solenoid itself. If the starter doesn’t turn, it’s the brushes, or other internal issues in the starter. Generally, a screw driver is used to short the terminals as they are close together.

[tooldude]

Try what Team Lightning suggests and if it doesn't crank, the starter has a problem (assuming good ground). If it cranks, the solenoid is bad (test bypasses it). The two large terminals must be shorted with a thick metal or cable to connect the battery cable directly to the starter. The heavy current makes arcing/pitting so connect accordingly, best not on threads.

[tooldude]

^Sorry, I'm on my phone and it's too slow.

[firebush357]

Smacking it with a Hammer requires two people usually. One person to hold the key in start position while the other smacks the start a few times.

You could always just take the starter out and get it tested at the local auto parts store.

[muleskinner]

If you short the connection from the terminal on the starter with the battery cable, to the terminal with the starter lead/connection, if the starter turns it mean an issue with the solenoid itself. If the starter doesn’t turn, it’s the brushes, or other internal issues in the starter. Generally, a screw driver is used to short the terminals as they are close together.

I shorted the connection and the starter cranked the engine. So I figured its a bad connection or a bad solenoid. I went ahead and tightened the connections even more and the festy started right up. I removed the connections and cleaned them and tightened them back up nice and tight. Problem solved !!!
Thanks everyone for the help and advice!!!

[muleskinner]

I shorted the connection and the starter cranked the engine. So I figured its a bad connection or a bad solenoid. I went ahead and tightened the connections even more and the festy started right up. I removed the connections and cleaned them and tightened them back up nice and tight. Problem solved !!!
Thanks everyone for the help and advice!!!

Well turns out the solenoid was bad. Left me stranded in a parking lot and I had some nice guy push me to pop start it. I drove it all the way home and ordered a solenoid. Put it in and all fixed now.