Ever since I bought my car, I've had a reaccuring problem with the starter. Every once in a while, I'll go to start it and it just clicks - a good solid click - but no starter rotation. If I switch it on and off a few times, it will eventually catch and turn over. It doesn't matter if the car is cold or hot. I replaced the solenoid thinking that was the problem. Didn't I feel like I accomplished something when I went to start it and the same damn thing happened. So, I've been living with it like that for a few years. I finally decided to do somethjing about it yesterday. I grabbed another starter I had laying around (out of a 1954 235) and swapped out the solenoids so I was using my new one instead of an old, questionable one. Before I bolted it into the car, I hooked it up to a 12volt battery and that sucker spun like a freakin tilt-a-whirl, so I figured I was in good shape. I bolted the new starter in and now it just sits and clicks, it won't even turn over. What the hell is going on and how do I fix it? The car is 6 volt. It's got a new-ish looking voltage regulator in it (that I'd like to know how to test and adjust) and a battery that I put in it when I bought the car. I'm going out to the driveway now to beat my self in the head with one of the starters... Thanks for the help, Jay
I think you could have a bad ignition switch. Try to hot wire the car with the wires off the back of the ignition switch and see what it does.
Another vote for checking all your ground and battery connections. An iffy ground or corroded battery terminal can cause the same symptom.
Whats up Jay.. I had the same problem with my 53.. I had the starter rebuilt, and when they did it they installed a new solenoid too.. 1 out of 10 times all i would get was a very solid "click" and nothing else. I'd hit the key a couple more time's, click, click then it would finally catch. I check ALL my connection's, all were good. Took the starter back off and brought it back to the guy's who built it. They told me the solenoid is adjustable, and when they built it, they didn't have it adjusted right and because of that it wasn't making a good connection inside. They showed me where there were slot's in the bracket that mount's the solenoid to the starter body, and it was too far foward (toward the front of the motor).. They made a quick adjustment moving the solenoid closer to the mounting flange of the starter, gave it back and i have had zero problems since.... All last year i had the problem, this year i pulled it and had it adjusted and it's been smooth running since... Might be your problem, might not, but it sure was mine. Good luck and hope this may help some.. Tony
Tony - What's up, man? I'm using the starter off the motor I got from you - the thing has guts! You nailed the problem! I tried running a jumper cable from the battery terminal to the block in case my ground strap was bad - still nothing. I tried running a cable from the positive terminal to the starter - spun right up. So, I was a little lost. When I reinstalled the solenoid, I had it slid all the way to the front of the car. I'm guessing that every so often it would pull the plunger back hard enough to make contact and turn the motor over. I loosened it up and slid it a little and PERFECTO! Starts every time now. Thanks guys!
VERY COOL man! It's a hollow feeling when you hit the key and get nothing but a click.. Glad you got i fixed up And glad at least the starter worked on that mill..She sure had been sitting for along time.. Tony..
Tony, Dropping you this note to say thanks for your post. I have a 54 235 6 volt. Had the starter gone through, and a new solenoid. Without your post, I would have been chasing my clicking no start problem thinking that the starter was all good. Took starter back off and back to the shop where they had to file the solenoid slots to move it a little further. Starting strong every time now. Thanks again, Brad
Yes, the GM Service Manual gives the info on the adjustment. If you have a car that you're going to keep, invest the $25 bucks and buy the manual for your specific car. Buy the GM version, not the Haynes or the Motors manuals .... too many omissions and mistakes in those mentioned. The GM Service Manual has all the procedures and saves many azz aches.
You're welcome Brad! I'm glad it helped you. Gotta love how we can all get some help off here from time to time. I have myself many times. Tony
I know this is an old thread, but it helped me and I wanted to pay back and add to what I found with mine. 6V starter 6 VOLT CW, 9 TEETH 3530 I replaced my solenoid, bendix and throw fork, just because, when I had out for some other work. I had the identical problem after and came across this thread. Was beginning to worry I was going to get left somewhere. After coming across this thread, there was not enough slot to move rearward. I removed the forward bolts and slid toward flywheel covering about 3/4 of the forward bolt hole to about where the rearward flange was about even with the starter barrel. Front=radiator Rear = flywheel. The new solenoid mounting flange turned out to be 2 1/2" on center causing the solenoid to be too far forward, towards the radiator. As I tend to keep take off parts, the old solenoid was 2 3/4" on center slots. I should have paid more attention when I swapped over. Seems to be working now. After a few more test runs I'll remove starter and make the slots at least 2 3/4" on center to give me the adjustment that I needed. Thanks for the help. Dennis
Tony, right on. Those solenoids use 4 bolts on top of the starter for mounting, and have slotted holes to adjust the amount of travel you need. Simple fix.
I am having this exact issue right now and it’s driving me crazy! I have a new 6volt battery with the highest cranking amps that you can get. Battery cables were checked for voltage drop and they were fine but I replaced them both anyways. The starter was sent out to a electrical repair shop to be rebuilt. Bolt it back in and still just, “Click”… The solenoid has been slotted already so I unbolted the 4 bolts on the solenoid and slide it back towards the flywheel far as it could go. Still no dice… Going to pull the ignition switch out and test that to see if there is a voltage drop there. If that don’t pan out I may have to try to bench test this starter and jump it off a battery to see if it engages. Any other suggestions are greatly welcome.
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