Hello all,
my car is having its monthly issue. (car period?)
This time it appears to be either a bad starter, or something framing the starter for the crime.
I cleaned my cattery leads decently, and my lights for way brighter (It was a little corroded)
My issue is this. When I try to start the car (mostly after sitting a while), my car only clicks.
I read similar articles about this problem, and see that its some what common, but with my car, if I hit the key 3 or 4 times in succession, the car will usually kick over. (apparently not when its cold).
Is the problem the starter? Or is it possibly a not getting enough power issue? I haven't pulled the starter yet, as I don't own a garage, and have to go to my available garage, so I leave that as a weekend thing.
When I do I will bench test the starter.

Opinions please
On your mark....get set......GO!

When you say you cleaned the battery cables, did you clean both ends of both cables? I just fixed up a ford that would click when you turned the key All I did was clean up the connections at the battery. Problem solved.

Is the starter original? Could be the brushes going bad also.

no idea if its the 1st starter. It very well might be. I been slowly buying a new Bonneville, but a starter isn't in that list.
Dan, I just cleaned up at the battery. I am hoping that that'* all that was necessary. Seems to have fixed up a weak headlight problem that I didn't know I had.
The starter problem happened all at once. The day was business as usual. Drove to the city. Made a few stops. Started and stopped the car a few times. Roads on the way to work were very snowy, and my car doesn't have the bottom cover on, because it keeps breaking down, so it isn't worth putting on, Basically I got to work, went , and worked all day. Came out after work, and it wouldn't start.
What would happen of snow got in the starter nose piece?
The car starts up repeatedly no problem, after its warm. When its cold, It'* much harder to start.
I assume if the starter can spin a engine, that it could easily break free from a little ice. But then again, who knows? lol

Did you check the battery connections at the block and starter?

Starter yes, Block no.
Starter ends are corrosion free and tight. As for the block.........?

BTW Mike, 1995 white curse, were in the same boat. Pass me a paddle lol

Wead..if it'* white... oh boy. hahahahaha

Wiggle the cables at the battery, they whould not be loose. If they are snug them back up.

It'* likely the bendix in the starter soleniod is gunked up and sticking. If you had someone hold the key to on while you smacked the starter with a hammer and it started, then it'* the solenoid sticking. This is the most common issue with a starter.

BTW, my car has been splash shield free since I bought it in 2005. After 250 billion miles the starter soleniod recently decided to get sticky. One smack and it made it into the garage to be swapped out for another one sitting on the floor.

Yea Bill, The wires are all tight. Today I tried to start it as per my click click method, but it went click click (turn key - silence x5). I had no one to hold the key on, but that didn't stop me from smacking it one. Then it was clicking again, and started after a try or two.
I'm thinking its a bad starter.
My car also has a fluctuating RPM issue, and a funky brake issue I am trying to resolve also.
DAYMN bonne! One problem at a time. I'm learning why people name their cars after ladies lol

Time to pull the starter and go get it tested.