Fuel tank cleaning

[Capt. Debbie]

There's a lot that could be wrong that clicks. Bad connection. Bad solenoid on Starter. Bad Bendix drive on starter to flywheel. And a bad battery that wont hold a charge.

Dont go blowing money. In my experience batteries well maintained will last three years. Batter use Year 4 is Russian Roulette every time you use it. Get rid of it!!

Best first step takes two people. One to turn key to crank and another at the starter looking what kind of voltage youre getting at the starter. Then do it again, except guy two is taking voltage reading at battery. That will tell you about connections. Same voltage number is good (12vdc-13.8vdc).

Shit battery will drop very low like 10-11 vdc while key is twisted to engage starter.

A shit bendix drive inside the starter is easily checked too with two people again. One turn ignition to start and the other guy banging with a hammer HARD on the starter end which goes inside the motor to the flywheel. Sometimes the Bendix Drive spring leaves the starter gear still mechanically connected to the flywheel gears and the starter must spin up and engage. It cant.
If its engaged to flywheel it can not spin up and just clicks. Many a Tow was not needed after a half dozen or so hammer whacks on the starter. That can not be repaired. Get a new or rebuilt starter.

Hope that helps? Its EXTREMELY rare the actual starter motor itself fails. VERY VERY rare.

Originally Posted by Duffman

Define noise? There’s good noise and there’s bad noise ��

Before condemning the starter I’d look at everything else first. Start at the batteries and work your way to the starter. Check every connection especially since sitting for that long.