My car won't start. I don't hear a click from the starter solenoid when turn the ignition.

The starter is 3 weeks old. I also had it tested at autozone and it works fine.

The ignition should be good. With the wire (ignition) disconnected from the starter, I get a 12V reading when I turn the key to the start position.

I'm suspecting a grounding problem on the starter... While the key is on the start postion, The 12V from the ignition to the starter drops to 0V when it is connected to the starter. What I mean is that the 12V reading that I get from the wire (while disconnected from the starter) drops to 0V when it is connected to the starter.

I brough the starter back to Autozone and had them bench test it. I was told that if it had a grounding problem, then it wouldn't pass their test.

 

It sounds like voltage from the ignition switch is received by the starter solenoid, right? If so, do you hear the solenoid click? Also, does the large starter wire connected to the starter motor have battery voltage?

The starter grounds locally on the transmission via the G3 ground wire. However, the voltage drop indicates that voltage IS being grounded.

 

Thanks for your reply...

Yes, the voltage from the ignition switch is received by the starter solenoid.
I do not hear the solenoid click.
The starter wire connected to the starter motor have 12.8V.

 

Verify that the G3 transmission ground wire is clean and tight. If so, you most likely have a bad starter.

 

I removed, cleaned the contact points, and tightened the G3 ground wire. Still won't start.

 

Your starter is almost surely bad.

 

i would check the resistance of the G3 ground wire... i think if its more than .3 ohm it needs to be replaced (correct me if im wrong. It it tests high, to double check to se if it is the wire, you can use a set of jumper cables to temp replace the wire... use a wire brush can clean the bolts attaching the ground wire to the tranny and body and use the jumper cable on the bolts and see if it starts, if it starts, replace the ground wire and you should be good to go.

 

Have someone turn the key to start while you...

Measure voltage from starter frame ground to battery (-) post (NOT the terminal that is part of the car, the actual lead post that is part of the battery). If it rises above 1 volt, problem in the ground circuit.

Measure voltage from the starter big terminal with the white wire to battery (+). Same deal, voltage should stay near zero.