Starter Issue: "Just a click..."

Now that my long list of old issues is nearing resolution, a new one crops up:

For awhile now, I sometimes just hear just a "click" (presumably the starter relay), when I'd try to start the car, without the starter turning over. At first, it would happen 1 our of 5 times, but now it seems to be 4 out of 5 times or worse. When it does work, the starter cranks strong and the car fires right up. Seems a little better when the car is warm, but really happens at any time.

I thought it might be a loose connection to the battery or loose connections on my cutout switch, but I tightened all that up today while installing a poly switch for my clock. I also noticed that if my lights are on, or the cooling fan is running when I try to start, they will noticably dim (or fan slow down) after the "click", so clearly the starter is trying to draw a some current.

I'm thinking the starter / solenoid is going. Anything else I should look for?

Also, I have a spare starter from my '69 - will that fit in my '77?

Thanks
Bob

sounds like your starter.sometimes the brushes will wear down so much the only just touch-sometimes turns sometimes don't,or even jam in there holders.the fact the solinoid engages everytime shows its after that and thats the motor itself.

cheapest first step is to clean and remake connections at the battery and at the starter itself.

such behavior is common when there is a bit of corrosion in there or when the connection is loose.

Starter relay. 5-10 bucks. It's a very generic item available at any auto parts store.

Mine did the same.

Check your battery cable terminals and see if one or both have a crimp type of terminal with a plate and two bolts. If you do, take it/them apart and clean it/them real well. I just went through a similar situation, and the solution was to clean that area, now, no problem.

Thanks all. What I have done, is:

1) cleaned and tightened batter connection (as originally stated)
2) I do have one of those crimp-in battery terminal connectors. I intend to replace eventually, but this was all cleaned / reattached ~6-9 months ago when resurrecting this car. Still, perhaps....
3) Starter relay is new in the past year. I do have a spare, so it would be easy to try...
4) All wiring (new harness) installed in past year, so unlikely to be crudded up.

And according to Moss, starters from '68 on should be interchangable for most part..

We'll see!
Bob

How old is your battery?

don't forget ,let us know how you get on,good luck

I had the same problem after I tightened the nuts on the lead at the starter from the solenoid. My 65 had two nuts on the starter connection post with the cable connected between the nuts. Turns out that I broke the insulating washer that isolates the connection lead from the first nut on the starter case. I noticed some smoke around the solenoid lead when I cranked the starter(got hot)and just clicks. I bought some fiberglass washers from Ace and installed them on the post first and then tightened the first nut.....it started the first time. The starter lead from the solenoid was shorting out to the starter case because the original 45 year old insulating washer cracked in half.

Can someone elaborate a little more about these insolated washers at the solenoid, starter connection? I don't seem to recall seeing any when I have replace my starter a couple or times??

Check ground strap.

Check the small wire that goes to the starter. When it vibrates off you will get that click.
If you lay beside the car on your back with you right shoulder against the rear of the right front wheel you should be able to see this connection. If it is off just plug it back on to the male spade connector.