A head scratcher. I need help fast.
 

Please read everything before offering advice. Ive checked a lot of stuff, and I don't feel like referring to back to the first post 80 times. Thank you in advance for any help

Problem Vehicle: 1998 Plymouth Neon

Problem symptoms: Solenoid clicks, starter motor does nothing

Problem History: Came out of the blue with the old starter, starter was replaced, started 4 times, problem came out of the blue again

Items Checked: (all ohm readings are actual, no multiplier)
-Battery checked out at almost 800 CA and is at 12.56v
-Power post at solenoid to ground reads 12.56v
-Power wire to solenoid from battery, tested out at 2 ohms resistance
-Starter housing to negative battery post tested out at -2 ohms resistance
-Starter was manually jumped via a direct jumper to positive post, solenoid just clicked, no starter motor action
-Neutral safety switch was checked
-Fuses and Relays all checked out

Items Not Checked:
-Fusible link to alternator (this shouldn't matter for actual start up)
-Starter housing to ground to see if voltage occurs indicating a short

Potential Problems Considered:
-Seized TC, the car does roll however, in gear and neutral
-Seized engine, Seems unlikely, no over heating and no odd behavior prior to shut down
-Faulty starter

Re: A head scratcher. I need help fast.
 

Is the replacement started new or used? Have you tried pulling out the started and try to spin it by hand? Sounds to me like the problem is in the starter.

Re: A head scratcher. I need help fast.
 

Im really hoping its not the starter, as this is single handedly the worst car I have worked on too date.

Re: A head scratcher. I need help fast.
 

You'll probably save yourself a lot of time if you just pull the starter now and check it instead of trying all the less likely things.

There's always the whole smacking it with a hammer while turning the key trick...

Re: A head scratcher. I need help fast.
 

Is there a place to turn the engine over by hand like on a DSM? Then you can rule out the engine being seized. Another thing to do is to put the volt meter on the leads right at the starter and try to start car and see how much of a voltage drop there is. That will let you know if there is a bad wire or connection.

Re: A head scratcher. I need help fast.
 

I am really really REALLY not wanting to pull the starter again. It is the last thing I wish to do. And Ill try hitting it tomorrow.

I beleive it is the same way on this, Ill have to double check, and I havent had an assistant yet to try at the starter, but I did how ever check at the battery when I was manually bypassing everything, I drew down to about 11 before the wire I had started to heat up.

Re: A head scratcher. I need help fast.
 

How's your engine grounds?

Re: A head scratcher. I need help fast.
 

Check all the connection to the starter.

Re: A head scratcher. I need help fast.
 

Smack a starter with a hammer, and it's reduced to a paper weight (destroys and cracks conducting magnets)

Have you checked the mounting surface? If it's all rusty and whatnot, then it's not getting a good ground and that could be it, but from what you've posted and checked so far, probably not. It sounds like the pull in/hold in windings in the solenoid are bad. The solenoid may still function, but the windings that bring the motor forward to the flywheel/flexplate could be shot.

If you want help, gimme a call 651 328 3503

Most likely, you just need a new starter though.

Re: A head scratcher. I need help fast.
 

Ugh.... damn it, I was really hoping I wouldnt have to pull my brand new starter already. It was a reman from autozone. I cant beleive this shit.

Re: A head scratcher. I need help fast.
 

I didn't say give it a full swing with a 5 lb sledge. lol