Starter clicks, wont start, & green battery cable

I've got a 95 accord that is having trouble starting. The starter
clicks once when I turn the ignition, but usually the engine doesn't
turn over, just the click and nothing else happens (takes about 5
tries for the engine to turn over and start). Only thing I can see
wrong is that the negative battery cable, on the end that connects to
the engine body, is missing it's rubber covering for the last 5 inches
of cable and the exposed cable is greenish, like the statue of
liberty. Would this green bit of cable cause the starting problem I'm
having?

 

Not likely. This is oxidation from the exposed copper (the EXACT same green
as the Statue of Liberty...she's made of copper too), however, if this
oxidation works its way into, and underneath the connection, it will cause
resistance resulting in a high current draw, not allowing the starter to
engage.

Make sure *ALL* starter/battery cable connections are clean and
tight...*INSIDE* as well as out.

Its still simply possible that your starter has called it quits, but you
need to start with good connectivity before moving on to the next diagnosis
step.

Good luck.

 

solenoid (inside starter) that actually makes your starter to grab onto the
flywheel and turn over the engine does not engage all the way. Needs some
cleaning of corrosion and ash.

eraser

 

it could be, what about the other cable you cant see due to them having
insualtion on them.. got a meter??? do a voltage drop on the different
connectors vs the last connection to see where the problem is located...

 

It could also be the contacts inside the starter. The click you hear is
the solenoid engaging the starter motor gear (to the flywheel). That
solenoid also closes the contacts for the motor winding (to make it turn).
I had the same problem (and thought it was the battery), and it turned out
to be dirty and worn contacts inside the solenoid....so the connection to
start the current flowing to the starter motor winding wasn't being made
sufficiently. A few tries would eventually make it start. I pulled my
starter and took it apart to clean the copper contacts with a wire brush.
Much cheaper than buying a new starter or battery. It has worked fine
ever since. Eventually, the contacts will become worn so much that there
will be no way a good connection can be made....but I managed to find a
replacement set of contacts to put in when that happens.

Rodney W. Rudd

 

May be a bad connection between key ignition and the starter solenoid.
Beware of many bad aftermarket switches and relays installed by previous
owners. A voltage drop test is a good start
suggested by jim.

 

It sounds like the starter solenoid is sticking. The key activates a
relay, the relay activates a large solenoid in the starter, the solenoid
slides the gear in place and closes a switch for the starter. If the
solenoid sticks, it just makes a click. The grease is probably dried up
or dirty. It's not a big deal to fix as long as the starter is
accessible.

Do clean up the battery cables. Wash them with lots of water and apply
a thin layer of oil to the terminals. It will save you from more
problems later on.

 

Take it to the AutoZone to test the battery/alternator for free. My
girlfriend's Geo Metro did the same thing. It was a bad battery, even
though the battery had that "green eye" indicator which is worthless.