New starter but car wont start sometimes? Help

[Pete112288]

So my step-son's 95 buick regal has been having some issues starting. It would only happen one out of every half dozen times he goes to start it. But when it decides not to start everything powers up just fine and it clicks but it wont turn over or even try to turn over. We replaced the entire starter and selenoid but it is still not starting on occasion. The battery is only a year old and the terminals have been cleaned very well and reattached. The terminals are the ones that screw into the side of the battery rather than posts on top. My question is what else could it be? The only thing my google searches have turned up is to check the ground wire to make sure it is making good contact with the frame. What if it is? Is there anything else it could be?

[Bofire]

was the replacement starter new or rebuilt, I had that happen on a GMC and the rebuilt starter was bunk!!
Carl

[Kittman]

I would get a meter and check for voltage reading on the battery and find that out first.  If it is less than like 12.5 volts, I would try and find out why. Then check the relay and any other connections all the way to the starter.  Same can be said for the ground cable, follow it to where it attached (block I assume) and check connections for security.

[Skyvalhunter]

Clean the posts at the solenoid if it is starting to go bad it will act like this.

[Pete112288]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Its a brand new starter and solenoid, not a rebuilt one. Hopefully its just a connection that needs cleaning then and I can take care of it in the morning.

[100 grain]

Like the guys say check all connections. Possibly pull and have it tested (for free) I've got a new alternator that was bunk before. I've actually had issues with battery acid working its way down the battery cable. I cut it open to look and sure enough it was caked. So I replaced and things were fine.

[Brad Harshman]

QUESTION
Does it fail to start when the engine is warm? Sometimes starters can get too hot and won't work until they cool down.  This was more common with SB 350's...
It didn't matter if starters were new or old either.

[Pete112288]

It has not seemed to have a pattern on when it wont start. Half the time the car has only been turned off for a few minutes and the other half of the time its the first start of the day.

[_TONY_]

My truck did that after a new starter... Turns out it was just a loose connection.

[jackelope]

Single click or a bunch of clicks when it doesn't start?

[Pete112288]

I cannot remember for sure. I think its a single click

[pope]

Automatic or stick? If automatic, try small movements on the gear selector while trying to start. Be persistent. If that promotes starting, it's probably a neutral safety switch. They are generally easy to change out and relatively cheap.

[Pete112288]

Now that is something I hadnt heard yet. And for sure going to test that theory out.

[Mark Brenckle]

Now that is something I hadnt heard yet. And for sure going to test that theory out.

  Mine won't even click when it's not in park or neutral, but worth trying if everything is tight and the starter checks out. To test, place in gear and try it to see if it does the same thing.

[jasnt]

. I've actually had issues with battery acid working its way down the battery cable. I cut it open to look and sure enough it was caked. So I replaced and things were fine.

I've seen this a thousand times. Maybe one third of all starters jobs I was supposed to do ended up as this.  Even a few of my own.....after changing out a good starter.

[jackelope]

Automatic or stick? If automatic, try small movements on the gear selector while trying to start. Be persistent. If that promotes starting, it's probably a neutral safety switch. They are generally easy to change out and relatively cheap.

A bad switch won't allow power to anything, so if the clicking is happening, I'd bet against the switch.

[jackelope]

I cannot remember for sure. I think its a single click

If it's definitely a single click, id pull the starter out and have it bench tested.

You could put a meter to it and see if you're getting power to the starter rather than guessing and throwing a bunch of parts at it too.

[Kittman]

I cannot remember for sure. I think its a single click

If it's definitely a single click, id pull the starter out and have it bench tested.

You could put a meter to it and see if you're getting power to the starter rather than guessing and throwing a bunch of parts at it too.

+1 the meter will tell no lies...

[raydog]

My old truck had a wire melted when it got to close to the engine. We finally found it and never had problems with it starting when it wanted to it again. I believe it was the wire that powered the ignition.

[coachcw]

ok quick run down , click click clicking noise would be low voltage . if you get a single click from the starter then most likely its in the starter, try turning the headlamps on and cranking if the lamps stay on strong and you get the click your new starter has a issue ( it does happen) those buicks often had a double positive cable and they would get a poor connection between the cables so the car would power but not the starter. there is a main ground on one of the front bell housing bolts that could be loose if the transmission has been out. I have seen the neutral safety switches loose on those as well but you wouldn't get the click .

[jeepster]

Hit the solenoid with a hammer a few times

Make sure terminals are clean and tight

[MtnMuley]

Where'd you get the starter from? If it's a Napa starter, I'm betting that's your problem.