Click click click- no start!! Woody Woodpecker at home!!!!!!

[clouder]

My Toyota Supra doesn't get used too much these days, but last weekend I used it and again this Monday to go to work (50 miles). Anyway got back from work left it in the drive and then 10 minutes later I went to start it and all I got was a loud noise like Woody Woodpecker at work on the starter! I checked the battery and the charger said it was 90 % good. I,ve pulled the starter and swapped out the solenoid contacts tonight, but Woody is still there, no change. All dash lights seam OK. Any ideas??

One thought, can I run a temporary wire from the small terminal on the solenoid to the battery positive terminal ( perhaps via a switch?) to see if the starter would turn the engine over? I am thinking if putting power on that terminal, this should pull the solenoid shut and give battery power to the starter and therefore it should turn over but not fire? Or am I over simplifying it or missed something?

Andy

[DuraAce]

I'd check the battery voltage properly with a multimeter first. Charger %indicators are not that accurate in my experience.

[clouder]

Cheers. Any idea what the minimum voltage is?

[paintman]

Fully charge the battery with a battery charger. See what happens.
Connect a jump lead direct from battery earth terminal to a good clean point on the engine & see what happens.

[clouder]

Thanks.
I'll charge it over night and try tomorrow after work. I guess I need to disconnect the earth first and then put the jump lead cable from the earth terminal to the engine block, then try and start it?

[Steve_D]

clouder said:

Thanks.
I'll charge it over night and try tomorrow after work. I guess I need to disconnect the earth first and then put the jump lead cable from the earth terminal to the engine block, then try and start it?

No leave it connected. The jump lead is to see if the existing earth path is the problem. If the engine turns over with the jump lead you have proved the earth path is suspect.

Going back to your earlier question yes you can use your own wire to the solenoid but it needs to be quite thick as the solenoid can pull a fair current. It will also flash a bit when you connect to the battery. Again if that solves the problem then the issues are somewhere in the ignition switch path down to the starter.

Steve

[clouder]

Thanks Steve. I'll let you know how it goes.

[clouder]

Hi guys. In went a new battery and she stared in an instant!! I'm happy!!

[rev-erend]

Sounds like a flat battery.