Starter just clicking - new battery

[John D II]

I store my car for the winter. I went out to start it to briefly drive it yesterday and it would not start, just click, click, click from the starter (I drove over my trickle charger by accident last spring and never replaced it, figured I would just start it every few weeks this winter). I put jumper cables on it for 30 minutes and still no start, just clicking. I then brought the battery in to be tested and it tested "Good, but needs charge", so I bench charged it all night. Put it in this morning and same thing, just rapid clicking. Brought it in for testing and they said "830 cranking amps fully charged". They then did a cell test and said something may be wrong gave me a new battery at NC - it was less than one year old. Cleaned all terminals (which were very clean anyhow), installed the new battery and same thing, mclick, click, click - now with a brand new battery. Starter clicks rapidly, but no start. That leaves me thinking:1) Longshot - the new battery is also bad2) The starter connection is bad3) There is a ground problem somewhere on the vehicle4) The starter itself is bad

5) engine ground strap has failedToward the end of the driving season, the battery was not starting the car after just 2-3 days, which was not normal, but it was the colder season. Also, the last week or so I was operating the car, occasionally, after coming out of a store, even afer a long drive, it would crank slowly for just a split second before going good and starting and I was thinking "what is that - I just drove 50 miles, the car should have plenty of power", but since it ultimately started, I did not give it a lot of thought. I think perhaps something has been developing for a little while and just got worse...Any ideas of things to do/check before I have it carried somewhere for diagnosis?

Any pictures or diagrams of the engine ground strap location?Any thought would be appreciated.

John

[JFP in PA]

I store my car for the winter. I went out to start it to briefly drive it yesterday and it would not start, just click, click, click from the starter (I drove over my trickle charger by accident last spring and never replaced it, figured I would just start it every few weeks this winter). I put jumper cables on it for 30 minutes and still no start, just clicking. I then brought the battery in to be tested and it tested "Good, but needs charge", so I bench charged it all night. Put it in this morning and same thing, just rapid clicking. Brought it in for testing and they said "830 cranking amps fully charged". They then did a cell test and said something may be wrong gave me a new battery at NC - it was less than one year old. Cleaned all terminals (which were very clean anyhow), installed the new battery and same thing, mclick, click, click - now with a brand new battery. Starter clicks rapidly, but no start. That leaves me thinking:1) Longshot - the new battery is also bad2) The starter connection is bad3) There is a ground problem somewhere on the vehicle4) The starter itself is bad

5) engine ground strap has failedToward the end of the driving season, the battery was not starting the car after just 2-3 days, which was not normal, but it was the colder season. Also, the last week or so I was operating the car, occasionally, after coming out of a store, even afer a long drive, it would crank slowly for just a split second before going good and starting and I was thinking "what is that - I just drove 50 miles, the car should have plenty of power", but since it ultimately started, I did not give it a lot of thought. I think perhaps something has been developing for a little while and just got worse...Any ideas of things to do/check before I have it carried somewhere for diagnosis?

Any pictures or diagrams of the engine ground strap location?Any thought would be appreciated.

John

These cars have a TSB out on them concerning high resistance battery cables (loose cable ends, often with corrosion as well). Checking the cables is easy using a multimeter, they should have no resistance.

If the cables are bad, they can be changed as a DIY project, but it will take some time as some things need to be removed to get at them.

[jpflip]

Also, there is an important ground on the right side of the engine just over the right hand turbo. You should take a look at the condition. Of course, while under the car, take a look at the starter connection as well....

Edited February 2, 2013 by jpflip

[John D II]

Thanks guys!

JP, Does the ground strap have a bolt securing it on both ends? If so, how difficult is the engine side to access? I can see where the outside end mounts on the frame from some pictures I took with the engine out..looks easy to inspect that end.

[White987S]

Buy a quality batter maintainer, in the near future. Not a 'trickle" charger. Porsche has em, as does C-Tek. When not being driven, plug them in. Far better than the "start it every few weeks".

[jpflip]

Thanks guys!

JP, Does the ground strap have a bolt securing it on both ends? If so, how difficult is the engine side to access? I can see where the outside end mounts on the frame from some pictures I took with the engine out..looks easy to inspect that end.

In fact John, it is secure to the body with a bolt (need to be removed when removing the engine) and the other end, I am not sure and cannot see it on all the pictures I took...I have found one picture of the ground when my engine was out. Hope this help.

[John D II]

White, I had one, broke it by accident and am buying another one and I realize that, but that is not the issue here...I have a fully charged battery and the starter just clicks...it is either not getting enough power or it's bad. Looking for advice as to what others may have found causing such a problem...

[White987S]

White, I had one, broke it by accident and am buying another one and I realize that, but that is not the issue here...I have a fully charged battery and the starter just clicks...it is either not getting enough power or it's bad. Looking for advice as to what others may have found causing such a problem...

Good. I understand. I was just giving an FYI, and drawing your attention that the best hibernation method is to park it & leave it. Not start it. Now, it seems like you know that. Hope you get this resolved soon. Sorry I can't be more helpful.

[jpflip]

Just found a picture in my collection of TT pics and the other end of the ground wire is only a bolt to the engine block just aft of the engine oil reservoir. It must be difficult to reach because it is in front or the air pump.....

Edited February 2, 2013 by jpflip

[John D II]

Thanks, JP - just the picture I was looking for! From most of the advice I have received, a rapidly clicking starter is not the starter clicking, but rather the solenoid and it usually indicates it is not receiving enough electricity to fully engage, often from a loose or corroded connection. I have decided to take the car in for testing and see what we find...

Now I know what to look for, should the ground strap require replacement.

[jpflip]

Good luck John and please keep us inform of your findings.

[John D II]

Thanks for your help everyone! It ended up being that a mouse was eating the wiring, which lead to the failure of power to reach the starter! That explains everything...

[White987S]

Thanks for your help everyone! It ended up being that a mouse was eating the wiring, which lead to the failure of power to reach the starter! That explains everything...

You can claim this type of a repair on your Comp Insurance. FYI.

[John D II]

Thanks so much for letting me know that in the event I did not - I did call my insurance and they are paying for the repair...

[jpflip]

It is because you don't feed them John. Mine were having birds seeds from a bag in the corner of the garage and rest after a good lunch in the bell housing !!!!

Edited February 10, 2013 by jpflip

[White987S]

Thanks so much for letting me know that in the event I did not - I did call my insurance and they are paying for the repair...

This I why you don't ever cancel (suspend) all your insurance when your car is in winter hibernation. A great way to save some money. But, you always keep the Comp coverage for things like this, and it's cheap.

[John D II]

It is because you don't feed them John. Mine were having birds seeds from a bag in the corner of the garage and rest after a good lunch in the bell housing !!!!

Wow, what a pain these things are...

[John D II]

Thanks so much for letting me know that in the event I did not - I did call my insurance and they are paying for the repair...

This I why you don't ever cancel (suspend) all your insurance when your car is in winter hibernation. A great way to save some money. But, you always keep the Comp coverage for things like this, and it's cheap.

Great advice - I never thought of that....I do not remove my insurance during the winter, as I run the car for a few miles once a month on a clear day to keep things moving or for testing, but I know many do remove the insurance during the winter.