Engine i'll not crank over - Bad starter?

Welcome to 2CarPros.

If you have a good starter and the correct voltage to the starter but only get a click, it's one of two things. Either you have a loose or corroded battery terminal which fails when placed under a load or the main ground from the battery to the engine block is loose, damaged, or corroded.

I know that sounds really basic, but since the same thing is happening with multiple starters and you have already checked voltage, it has to either be a bad connection or the engine is locked.

I'm going to add a couple things just so you can confirm everything was done correctly.

Here is a link that explains how to replace a starter:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor

Here is a link that explains what to check if the starter fails to work:

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

Here are the directions specific to your vehicle for replacing the starter. The attached pictures correlate with these directions.

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STARTER - INSTALLATION
3.3/3.8L

pic 1

NOTE: Graphic depicts 3.3L AND 3.8L starter motor with six speed automatic transmission. If equipped with 3.3L engine and a four speed automatic transmission skip steps 1 through 5.

1. Install the starter motor dust shield (4).
2. Rotate starter assembly (5) to allow positioning into transmission (2).
3. Install starter assembly (5) to transmission (2).
4. Install two front transmission mount to starter mounting bolts (3) and tighten to 47 Nm (35.5 ft. lbs.).
5. If equipped with six speed auto transmission, install transmission to starter mounting bolt (1) and tighten to 47 Nm (35.5 ft. lbs.).

pic 2

NOTE: Graphic depicts 3.3L starter motor with four speed automatic transmission.

6. Install the starter motor dust shield (4).
7. Rotate starter assembly (5) to allow positioning into transmission (2).
8. Install starter assembly (5) to transmission (2).
9. Install two front transmission mount to starter mounting bolts (3) and tighten to 47 Nm (35.5 ft. lbs.).
10. If equipped with four speed auto transmission, install transmission to starter mounting stud (1) and tighten to 47 Nm (35.5 ft. lbs.).

pic 3

11. Install battery cable (2) and nut (1) to solenoid stud (3). Tighten nut to 14.5 Nm (128 in. lbs.).
12. Connect electrical connector (5) to starter solenoid (4).

pic 4

13. Remove engine support tool 8534-12 or equivalent.
14. Connect the negative battery cable, tighten the nut to 5 Nm (45 in. lbs.).

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Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

Welcome back:

That's good news. The bad news is most likely your original starter was good. LOL If never fails. Listen, thanks for visiting our site and feel free to come back anytime you have questions.

Take care and good job. By the way, that was an excellent idea with the jumper cable. I think I'll use that myself and suggest it to others. Thanks for the tip.

Joe