Hey folks,

Long time no see! Here is my problem. I have a ticking clicking sound when I start. Had my mechanic come to the house to test my Big 3 (Alt, Stater, and Battery). He instructed that my starter was pulling "way to much current." Also at hot idle the volt meter swings from 13v to 14.8v. I loosely acts like my oil pressure gauge when I press the accelerator. I do have an Amp (700w), but this will NOT turn on until the radio is turned on. The amp possy is hooked up to the possy NEXT to the battery an not on the battery. Also about 2 weeks ago the car completely died, as is dead, while I was at a stop. Would not let me start nor turn the radio on. Crazy thing was I counted 30 seconds and it turned over like a new car. My main problem that it now will not start properly. Click Click Click start or Click Click/Start. My wife was at work and could not get it to start [Click Click Click], and had one over her friends jump the Bonnie. Fired right up. So having this said I think the mechanic is right. Starter is drawing to much. I did go under the Bonnie and found that the starter was rusted bad and the connections were "OK" and the starter was not loose. While up on ramps, I started the Bonnie with no fail. time and time again, but as soon as I go off the ramps ...Click Click Click Start. I know that this car is like a woman, but I never thought she was a [difficult female].

I will list what I have set up in my Bonnie and any modification in list form.

Year: 2000 SE

Battery: Interstate MTP-79 http://www.lesscoelectronics.com/INT...Y_p/mtp-79.htm

Amp: 700w w/ground hooked up to the frame.

Alt: OEM

Starter: OEM


This is very frustrating. And I think the starter is grounding out somewhere. I will start searching for corrosion, but where to start?

I appreciate any help.

http://www.ehow.com/how_4507909_repl...onneville.html I found this to be informative.

Couple points of interest here actually. I would be inclined to believe that something was going on with the 'Big 3' as you call it. Corrosion, faulty or broken wires, or even a funky battery could cause this issue. Assuming the mechanic was accurate in his diagnosis, the starter could be at fault, but a starter pulling too much current could have an internal short. A short bad enough to cause this however would cause much bigger symptoms. Bench testing the starter may be in order. Have you upgraded the Big 3? Or is it stock? If modded, what gauge and type of wiring did you use? And how long ago?

Th only modding I did was add a 700w 4-ch amplifier with 8g wire. I don't think this is the problem b/c I used the same hook up with my 94 Escort (the Bonnie replaced this b/c I went dear hunting wit the Ford) Everything else is stock.

[Also at idle I hear what sounds like an animal scratching in the very bottom of the climate control area. I am thinking it the plastic "saw-dust" from the small mod is causing this. I don't know if it is a wire grounding out (Montana new wire harness did this) or if some plastic "saw-dust" is caught some were. One thing I know is that it stops when RPM goes up. This might be a separate problem entirely that is not affecting anything and it could be harmless...I will investigate today.]


THANKS!