Bad selenoid? Bad starter?

[jmead9]

on my 1950 8N, 6v, sidemount distributor. I get a 'click-click-click' when trying to start it from my selenoid. Battery is fully charged as I bought a charge/load tester and have checked it myself. The battery is less than 3 months old. I have pulled starter and made sure that the mounting surface on block and the starter itself is clean and fine. I have brand new cables (and the proper ones) and I do not have a problem with a ground. The starter is pretty much brand new as well and it is the proper one. What is my next step? I don't want to just start throwing new parts at it.
 

[Bruce (VA)]

"I don't want to just start throwing new parts at it. "

Ahhhhh, troubleshooting first before buying parts? That's the correct approach. Too bad we don't see more of it around here! :)

If you are 100% sure everything else checks out, then jump the solenoid.

I'm not saying that's the problem; the solenoid is making a noise because of low voltage. That is likely caused by:

1. A weak battery (charge it & check it per tip # 49))
2. Dirty grounds/connections (remove the cables & clean the connections)
3. Bad cables or incorrect sized cables (replace them - see tip # 41)
4. Bad ground between the starter & the block. (pull the starter away from the block & clean the mating area - see tip # 36)

Jumping directly to the starter is also a good test. (but see tip # 43 first)
50 Tips

 

[souNdguy]

ditto that.


put in neutral.. block clutch..

hook jump cables up red to bat hot.. black to starter stud.

stand back distance of cables and touch red black together .. that way real hard to get rund over if you forgot 1 and 2..
 

[old]

New batteries are not always good batteries learned that many years ago when I got a new one and installed it and got nothing out of it. Check all battery cable connections as to being clean and tight. Pull the battery side cable off the solenoid and try putting it on the starter side and see if it will then spin the engine over. Check and double check to it is out of gear when you do that
 

[ASEguy]

Love your "stand back" advice. :>)
 

[souNdguy]

yep.. the average person won't listen half the time to the put in neutral and block clutch comments before they take a screwdriver or pair of channelocks to a solenoid. but when telling them how to wire something.. the jump cables make a good 6+' stand back device.. so if it does move.. they don't have to be near a tire...
 

[Ken(Ark)]