Ok so I am cleaning up my 1989 bonne to get ready to sell it and I have a problem. It has been sitting for a couple of months and so the battery was dead I tried to jump it but no luck. I just replaced the battery cause I am not gonna sell the car to a friend of my coworker with an iffy battery.

Replace the battery still no good. I know the ignition circut is working cause the gauges swing to redline when you try and start it like normal. I checked the connections as best I could to the starter and they seem ok. So what are my other options and/or what else do I need to eleminate? I figure the problem is the starter or selinoid but I am not sure so I need some help. I have a voltmeter so I guess I can check the connections with that with the help of a friend.

Due to lack of use, the hammer trick may be necessary. No kidding. Get a big rubber mallet, and smack the thing while someone cranks it.

Hmhh my experience with starters in a bind like that is that they normaly make a pretty nasty noise. The car makes no noise at all when you crank it not a bit like there is no current flowing to the starter. I will try the hammer though and then see if the starter is getting power with the voltmeter.

Check and make sure that your connections on the battery side are nice and clean. I had kinda the same problem once and that was the cause.

Ditto

If that "Hammer time" fails you.

Jump the hot wire on the solenoid to the starter motor while you have the car in the on position.. if it cranks.. then it'* a starter solenoid.. ( I learned that from experience ).

But a loose connection will also do that due to the fact that it'* not able to carry the current across the connection, but is able to handle the load of just having your accessories and such on.

They seemed pretty good when I replaced the battery a little rusty on the side post bolts though. I am having the car towed to my shop tomorrow and will be able to get a better look at it then.

Well I wacked the starter a few times and it started right up what do you know.

Thanks for the help.

Either carry that hammer with you at all times or replace the starter.

Naw, I bet he'll be fine now. Just start it every other day or so.