Starter does not turn over, just clicks

[dean2526]

I recently replaced the OEM light relay with DMC LED blinker relay (and replaced all bulbs with LED). Once I finished now I cannot start the car. Here is what I have done, I can't think of what else I can do/what it could be.

1) I have replaced back the original blinker relay (so it's not the LED relay)
2) I have replaced both starter related relays (in bulkhead and near fuse box) - still nothing
3) I have jumped the relays by using the cold start relay to the jump post and the car STARTS, so the starter itself is working and the battery is almost new. Could the solenoid be bad and it still start this way? I wouldn't think so, but I don't know for sure.
4) It's an auto, I have put in Park and Neutral, back and forth etc, and still nothing. I have also driven the car in park and reverse (see#3 above) and still won't start back up, so I dont think it's the neutral safety switch.
5) I have checked all connections near the LED blinker relay (I think) to confirm that I didn't hit/break/disconnect anything, and I didnt see anything obvious.

What else can I try?

[Patrick C]

I recently replaced the OEM light relay with DMC LED blinker relay (and replaced all bulbs with LED). Once I finished now I cannot start the car. Here is what I have done, I can't think of what else I can do/what it could be.

1) I have replaced back the original blinker relay (so it's not the LED relay)
2) I have replaced both starter related relays (in bulkhead and near fuse box) - still nothing
3) I have jumped the relays by using the cold start relay to the jump post and the car STARTS, so the starter itself is working and the battery is almost new. Could the solenoid be bad and it still start this way? I wouldn't think so, but I don't know for sure.
4) It's an auto, I have put in Park and Neutral, back and forth etc, and still nothing. I have also driven the car in park and reverse (see#3 above) and still won't start back up, so I dont think it's the neutral safety switch.
5) I have checked all connections near the LED blinker relay (I think) to confirm that I didn't hit/break/disconnect anything, and I didnt see anything obvious.

What else can I try?

Double check that when you put the relays in you didn't push any of the female connectors down out of the relay sockets. This can happen sometimes and then you have the false sense that the relay is installed properly, but you are really missing a connection to a pin.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Do you hear the starter relay click or hear the starter solenoid click when you turn the key? There is only one starter related relay which is also called the start inhibit relay.

[dean2526]

Double check that when you put the relays in you didn't push any of the female connectors down out of the relay sockets. This can happen sometimes and then you have the false sense that the relay is installed properly, but you are really missing a connection to a pin.

Thanks. I'll check tomorrow and report back.

[dean2526]

Do you hear the starter relay click or hear the starter solenoid click when you turn the key? There is only one starter related relay which is also called the start inhibit relay.

I hear the relay from the fuse box area, I can't hear if the solenoid is clicking since I am in the car. I can maybe have my son turn the key and listen where the starter is to see if it clicks?

[Bitsyncmaster]

I hear the relay from the fuse box area, I can't hear if the solenoid is clicking since I am in the car. I can maybe have my son turn the key and listen where the starter is to see if it clicks?

That tells you the inhibit switch is not the problem. And you starter test says the solenoid is not the problem. So it's a connection problem somewhere.

[dean2526]

That tells you the inhibit switch is not the problem. And you starter test says the solenoid is not the problem. So it's a connection problem somewhere.

It has to be something underneath the dash by the steering wheel, that's really the only area I ever touched. Ideas?

I did clean the area behind the tail lights (when I replaced the boards and LED lights), are there any starter related connections in that area?

[Bitsyncmaster]

It has to be something underneath the dash by the steering wheel, that's really the only area I ever touched. Ideas?

I did clean the area behind the tail lights (when I replaced the boards and LED lights), are there any starter related connections in that area?

Maybe someone installed a kill switch for theft. But if you hear the relay click it would be a bad connection at the relay or a bulkhead connection. I don't think anything you touched caused the problem.

[dean2526]

Maybe someone installed a kill switch for theft. But if you hear the relay click it would be a bad connection at the relay or a bulkhead connection. I don't think anything you touched caused the problem.

I don't see any kill switches. All relays are properly seated. The next thing DMC told me to check is the connection to the Ballast resistor, I will check tonight.

[Bitsyncmaster]

I don't see any kill switches. All relays are properly seated. The next thing DMC told me to check is the connection to the Ballast resistor, I will check tonight.

Ballast resistor has nothing to do with the starter cranking. Just try unplugging and plugging back in the bulkhead connectors. If your connection is marginal that could get you going.

[David T]

Check for 12 volts at one of the small terminals on the starter solenoid when you turn the ignition key to START. If you are getting 12 volts then either the solenoid is bad or the starter is bad. If you don't get 12 volts it is a relay or wiring problem. Don't waste time checking the ballast resistor, that is the ignition circuit and has nothing to do with the starter circuit.

[dn010]

this terminal may be worth checking:

https://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?20350-Starter-clicks-won-t-turn

[dean2526]

[QUOTE=dn010;285865]this terminal may be worth checking:

https://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?20350-Starter-clicks-won-t-turn[/Q

I've checked but I will check again. It's real hard to get my fingers underneath there to make sure it's seated. Do I have to remove it?

[dn010]

I had to remove the socket to get the wire back in place. If you remove just the relay, you should be able to see if the terminal is pushed down compared to the others instead of removing the whole socket. My pic on that thread shows it pushed down.

[dean2526]

I had to remove the socket to get the wire back in place. If you remove just the relay, you should be able to see if the terminal is pushed down compared to the others instead of removing the whole socket. My pic on that thread shows it pushed down.

So I assume there are screws behind a couple of those relays that need to be removed so I can remove the entire bank and get to the underside of the relay?

[Bitsyncmaster]

So I assume there are screws behind a couple of those relays that need to be removed so I can remove the entire bank and get to the underside of the relay?

Yes, two of the sockets have screws you remove to tilt the whole bank up.

[dean2526]

Yes, two of the sockets have screws you remove to tilt the whole bank up.

As I suspected all the relays are tight and no issues. I still think it's something under the steering wheel, it's the only thing I touched (except the taillights) prior the issue happening. Once I replaced that LED blinker relay and replaced the bulbs with LED, I can't start the car. No starting issues prior to that. I know it's not that LED relay or the bulbs, but I may have jostled something loose in that wiring harness under the dash/steering wheel.

[jgutsch]

I have had a similar event happen to me a while back. Drove to work and when I was leaving for the day turn the key and just rapid clicks from the engine bay. Had to get a jump start from a friend to fix it. Has not happened again after that. I know you said your battery is basically new, but maybe worth double checking it's health.

[dean2526]

I have had a similar event happen to me a while back. Drove to work and when I was leaving for the day turn the key and just rapid clicks from the engine bay. Had to get a jump start from a friend to fix it. Has not happened again after that. I know you said your battery is basically new, but maybe worth double checking it's health.

Thanks for the reply. I am able to start the car by jumping the cold start wire to the battery jump post and it starts right up, so it's not the battery. I only get one click when I turn the key, not the continuing clicking of a dead/low battery. The only other thing could be the neutral safety switch.

[dean2526]

Thanks for the reply. I am able to start the car by jumping the cold start wire to the battery jump post and it starts right up, so it's not the battery. I only get one click when I turn the key, not the continuing clicking of a dead/low battery. The only other thing could be the neutral safety switch.

UGH!!! So I checked all the relays again the the damn starter modification wire was disconnected from the circuit breaker. I have no idea how that happened, but it starts now. Thanks for all the ideas everyone.