Starter and relays?

NEWMANTIM

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET S-10
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
100,000 MILES

I went to the drive up shut off the truck and when I went to restart it it was dead towed it home took out the battery fully charged. Cleaned the wires + &- and the terminals. Then I had full lights buzzers turn the key nothing but I heard a clicking sound in the glove box where the relays are. When we push start it it runs like always no problems and the alternator is at a full 14 no higher no lower all blinkers work lights everything works oh yea the starter is good?CONFUSED! Is there a bad pos cable is there a fusible link in the pos wire?M please help thanks tim newman

1 Reply

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,709 POSTS

Hi,

Oftentimes, a click when trying to engage the starter motor is the result of a poor connection. Since you have already cleaned the cables and are hearing the starter relay click, it sounds like the starter motor may have failed.

The easiest way to check is by performing this. Have a helper turn the key to the start position while you check for power at the smaller wire on the starter motor. You should see 12v only when in the start position of that wire. I attached the wiring schematic below showing the wire at the starter. It is purple in color.

Here is a link you may find helpful when testing:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Additionally, here is a link that explains how to test wiring:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe

See pics below.

Note: I had to cut the schematic in half to make it readable. I did overlap it so you can follow from one to the next.

Images (Click to make bigger)