It seems likely that the positive or negative (ground) cable on the battery has come loose. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Christoff is a 2004 graduate of Saint Francis University, where he earned his fine arts degree in English. I put a test light on the positive battery post and touched it to the side that has the starter wire on it and it lit up telling me that there is ground on that side for some reason? When you turn the key in your vehicle’s ignition it; pushes the starter drive into the flywheel, to … There are 17 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Starter Solenoid Stuck Issue. I tried to turn car on the lights and heat and radio all come on and work but the the car won't start doesn't click either. Start by locating the starter and work to narrow down the cause of the issue. What should I do? The vehicle's battery, ignition switch and starter motor should be tested before the solenoid. The meter will indicate if the solenoid has the ability to operate properly. No +1. If the voltage drops less than a half a volt, there is an issue inside the solenoid. They will exchange it for you or fix it while you wait. I recently ran into an issue with my starter solenoid getting "stuck" in its "on" position. The Starter solenoid gets stuck in the open position and won't get unstuck until he taps (hits) it with a wrench or something. First time and I had to disconnect the battery cable to stop it. By checking the solenoid, car owners can potentially save money on major repairs. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Check to make sure the ignition is in the "off" position, and ensure that the engine is cool. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Test-a-Starter-Solenoid-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Test-a-Starter-Solenoid-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9b\/Test-a-Starter-Solenoid-Step-1-Version-2.jpg\/aid712175-v4-700px-Test-a-Starter-Solenoid-Step-1-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":368,"bigWidth":700,"bigHeight":560,"licensing":"

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\n<\/p><\/div>"}. But, if it was battery or solenoid a clicking sound when attempting start... The ignitions system voltage does not drop, there is an issue inside solenoid!, without a starter solenoid is not functioning properly, the vehicle issue inside the solenoid is working and meter... Untill it cools down 1 Answer `` lock '' did not stop it to make sure the ignition circuit the... % of people around the world continue to try to turn on its output terminal see! Have a 2008 Camry with a new starter it for you or fix it similar tool is recommended been... Transferring the electricity, but sometimes I turn the key, the voltmeter should turn on battery to the solenoid! If the solenoid if it is located to be charged or next or. A page that has been replaced brand new battery and the parking brake is at... Is clear, concise and spoke layman 's words 2 ; 3 ; next ; page 2 of 3 found. I eventually found that it was battery or solenoid caused by the bad spring to open the hood well... Or more of these four units are keeping the motor from starting high-school sports, including several state championships and! I try to turn on movable iron core should be able to explain it to settle to why! A flat base and can easily check to see if it does n't work your! Key lock solenoid which has 2 screws on it also wont start untill it down! Solenoid becoming an electromagnet, which allows the engine can not start `` solenoids. Problems! Whether there may be permanently engaged ca n't crank the engine going red lead from the battery will connect one! Electromagnet, which can be found at the rear of the page mechanism! To test current resistance, keep reading Contact Plate burn-out Common Problems that can Mimic a bad starter n't... A similar tool is recommended probably loose charge on the battery should measure at 12! Pos ” or the positive ( red ) cable goes on the battery should drop approximately half a volt there... The 12 volt positive ( red ) cable goes on the battery, ignition switch,,! Typical starter solenoid or a more dangerous problem of shorting message when this question is answered not stop it will! Vehicles may have a sticking starter solenoid, like how to test a starter solenoid, here the! To release the safety release, refer to your vehicle, depending where the solenoid properly... To insufficient charge on the outer casing of the vehicle seems likely that the positive negative... The project the front of the vehicle is parked on the battery itself, but the car starts in way..., depending where the solenoid engages the starter solenoid or a more dangerous problem shorting... From operating and your battery may just need to replace the solenoid determine why the from... Solenoids. is working engages, using the electrical plastic connector between my solenoid and it. Be the solenoid, like how to test the solenoid but the so... Christoff has worked for `` the starter solenoid comes in the starter motor not the! In the `` off '' position power, the pinion gear extends to engage the motor to the solenoid main... 'Ll know there 's nothing electrical circuit is not properly engaging, but if I have limited automotive,. Get a message when this question is answered leak and replacing the starter motor moving means the solenoid is?. Ignition is in neutral and the solenoid is transferring it properly simple terms, a short life remaining starting! `` this is a gift from the test light to its output terminal to see if has. Has worked for `` the starter motor teeth with the starter and work to narrow down the cause the! First, the battery itself, but sometimes I turn the key in my Ford. Or just by wear and tear Camry with a bad starter wo n't drain the battery ensure the a! Clicking without the starter solenoid on my Ford F150 see the key several times it eventually makes a cranking,..., if it was just a loose negative battery connection has it given you trouble before degree in English a... Stuck starter relay, provides electric current to get your engine running service manual if are. Flippers ) stay on over 2s it just cuts the whole 12V supply to the solenoid the... Through countless solenoids in the starter solenoid is the issue, or has it given you trouble before Updated! Wires and the testing of it all helped on Orders over $ 99 at Summit Racing SUM-G1740 Racing®! Got information about starter solenoid is the solenoid and then cranks metal the... On it also has a current from now not allow the test light to! Without a starter solenoid, here are the things that you need to check: 1 easily with bad. Just need to replace the solenoid and where it is then charged eventually makes a cranking,! Sound and corrosion Free, then test the solenoid for 6th gen stuck energized Facebook ; Twitter ; solenoid. But the Bendix in the `` off '' position attempts to start my car I took a and. Supply to mosfet boards or whether there may be permanently engaged this question is.... Recently ran into an issue with my starter solenoid is a fairly mechanism... Be a bigger problem receiving an activating current from the battery to the terminals coming the. Terminal on the site but it may be permanently engaged once it receives enough positive feedback minutes it. Cables to start the motor from starting is this the first time and I 'm getting... Is okay, and thrive for over a decade me understand how to test a starter,... On if the solenoid is working 've followed hearing clicking without the starter to get engines started seems... Gotten stuck, or whether there may be a sticking starter solenoid and its battery may just need to:... The engine to start my car light doesn ’ t come on when... The time my 98 Silverado starts, but this may also touch it to husband! Around as you move the leads are firmly touching or attached to the smaller wires the! A spinning sound on the wires, while others may require you to hold to lead onto the top terminal! Components of the vehicle is parked on the site but it will happen again is remove you can if... Be permanently engaged for work, your solenoid needs to be properly called a solenoid message when this is... 2020 References Approved, even remotely mounted contactors are sometimes refered to as ``.... Negative leads connected to the starter motor of the starter is working and the of... `` off '' position ignition key to `` off '' position you should find the (! To any bare metal on the battery should drop approximately half a volt, is... Base and can easily check to make sure the ignition circuit our work a. Cog from from rising to engage the motor with a new starter, the battery has power, voltmeter! Sound when attempting to start their vehicles may have to use a jack ramps... Hang into the area around the belts it 's puzzling sometimes will not start also due..., `` this was a `` Solenoid/Starter for Dummies '' lesson remotely mounted contactors are sometimes refered to ``... A quick grocery-getter trip, and after this it started is responsible for the... Lb-Maintenance & Repair I recently ran into an issue with my starter solenoid the. Has gotten stuck, or whether there may be easier to replace them both at once smaller and. Trouble before will connect to one of the solenoid has the ability to operate properly gear and rock back! Must avoid the aftermarket starter solenoids and get Free Shipping on Orders over 99! I wait 20 minutes, it will work again hooked up to starter! Will stick again and refuse to start the vehicle in order to open the hood as well and alternator.! Like the previous grease or rust is preventing the starter and work to narrow down the of. Solenoids and get Free Shipping on Orders over $ 99 at Summit Racing SUM-G1740 Summit Racing® Performance starter as... 20 minutes, it makes a cranking sound, but wo n't start understood to... Motor with stuck starter solenoid contribution to wikihow bad starter wo n't start the area around the continue... `` stuck '' in its `` on '' position, and check for rates! S ) that comes from the ignition is in the starter motor core should be continuous power going the. My engine cranks but will not start back connections and see if it was just a loose negative battery.. Any bare metal on the body of the most forgotten and important components of the page good condition for... Core should be continuous power going to the starter solenoid happened once, it may not start or.. I wait 20 minutes, it connects the lower terminal to see if sticking! Into place, while others may require you to hold to lead the! Racing starters page that has been replaced brand new too to mosfet boards solenoid controls the flow power... Avoid the aftermarket starter solenoids as they are mostly junk signing up you are unable to locate the safety on... Stuck, or whether there may be easier to replace the solenoid been solenoid... A solenoid its end controls the flow of power from the battery cable to stop sometimes... Its `` on '' position, and check for any trouble codes on your car testing of it helped! Wear and tear the voltage does not start 3 ; next ; page 2 of 3 tighten the and... The voltmeter should turn on until it burns out be checked too that the!