I think my starter solenoid is bad?

Question

I have a 2000 Mitsubishi Montero Sport. Today it was driving fine and cranking fine but when it was parked at home for a few minutes all of a sudden it wouldn't start. I thought the battery had gone dead so I tried to jump it but it still wouldn't crank and the starter wouldn't turn. All I got was the rapid clicking noise that I think comes from the solenoid. The starter won't turn at all. If it is the solenoid, how cold I replace it? Or does this mean that the starter is bad? I'd take it to have it tested somewhere...but it won't start :x. And, one more thing, the radio won't work, and all it says is "CODE". Does the radio have to be reprogrammed or anything?

Answer 1

Probably not,- it could be starter though!  If it is internally shorted and draws so much current -- the solenoid can not stay energized and  "releases" to be immediately energized and then released-- this happening about 50- 80 or so times a second makes a buzz!

Now about the booster cables, - are you sure they were working right, -- if one is making bad connection -- they look real good but do nothing!

Here is how you check your battery! Turn on healights, radio, & heater blower,-look at headlights are they dim?  Do they go out when you crank engine - and then stay out for a few seconds, or come back on dimly? If the answer is yes on any of these thingvs, it is an electrical problem. If the lights go out, (instead of dimming) and do not come back up after key released, - then you have weak voltage problems, -- like dead battery possibly.  If they go out and stay out for a while and then come on fairly bright, - you have corrosion problems on one of battery terminals! -- This can be cleaned up enough to check out with a cup filled with water and a teaspoon of baking soda mixed in, -- pour slowly on both terminals, --- if they "boil" a lot, that is corrrosion being neutralized!  Flush with water and try again, if car cranks ok, then pull these terminals off and soak each one in glass of soda/water mixture till they "boil" no more!  They will then be clean and make good connections!

You see, - the chattering of solenoid is also a symptom of very low battery ! So you need to find out which problem it is!

NOTE: sometimes a rap on side of stater may make it crank again, so give it a couple whacks with a hammer on case, -- if it works it stil needs repladced, but you have at least confirmed problem!  

Now if you can get to starter itself,- you can clamp jumper cable on the lower terminal of solenoid (the one that has wire going down into starter housing)!  now you can "rake' other end of this cable on positive (+) connection where cable bolts on battery, -- if starter spins, then starter is ok, -- but if it throws an arc like an "arc welder", then starter is internally shorted, and needs to be taken out and checked or replaced!--  Another thing may happen, if sparks shoot up between cable clamp and battery post,-- that is another indication of corroded connetion!---  If you can't do this yourself, then you need to get a mechanic! You have to remove starter to get to it to change solenoid!

There are no "easy tricks here!

Answer 2

you have a bad connection at the battery post remove the battery clamps the NEG one first then the POS one next clean clamp and post with a battery brush all parts store will have them and they are cheap dip the brush in a water baking soda mix the baking soda will help clean the gunk off hook battery up the POS first on most battery's the post is marked with a + or P for POS  then hook up the NEG cable it is marked with a - or a N that should do it  

Answer 3

the solenoid is clicking so it is working. I bet fusible link or bad starter.

look online or at a dealer for the code to reset the radio.

Answer 4

Sounds like you have a bad connection somewhere in the electrical system and that is why your car wont start check the connections at the battery and starter for corrosion and or being loose...that would also cause your radio to display that code message...there should be a 4 digit code that you can punch into your radio to make it work again your owners manual should have the code and instructions in it...if you don't have the manual anymore call a dealership and they can look up the code and walk you through the process.

Answer 5

75% sure its a dead battery...can't jump it cause the battery can't hold any charge...take battery to a pep boys or whatever and have them test it and hope for the best cause if isn' the battery then its the starter or alternator but i doubt that

Answer 6

When you try to start the car, do the lights dim at all in the instrument cluster? A rapid clicking is either the starter, as you mentioned, or a battery that doesn't have enough juice to crank the engine over. If it is the starter, you can get the solenoid, or the whole unit for almost any automotive repair store, such as Autozone, or a Kragen's. If you have a 5 speed standard transmission, you can always push start it to get it going. As for the CODE on your radio, this is basically a theft device that resets the radio so that if a thief steals your radio, it's not good without the code from the dealer. You need to go to your local Mitsubishi dealer and have them issue you a new CODE so that you can enter it and reset your radio. Did this happen when you noticed your starter going out? If so, then you most likely have a bad cranking battery.  

Answer 7

what you have described is a flat battery. if other battery is fully charged you must have a loose terminal at starter or body

Answer 8

ypur battery is dead u need to get a batt then get the alternator checked

Answer 9

I would bet that the radio needs to be reprogrammed

As for the starter.... sometimes with a bad starter you can tap it with a hammer and it will start. but Think you just need a new starter. most starters are near the bottom of the Engine on the side. Check the owners manuel it will tell u where it is. also its not hard to change it out from what i've heard all it is is two bolts and it pulls right out. All it is  is a motor with a gear in it. when the solonoid engages it sticks this gear out called a Gog and the gears attach to the flywheel inturn Starting the vehicle. I would still talk to a motor head just to be sure :)