Starter solenoid clicks but starter not start
 

The car has 100k miles it and once the car runs it runs well, but our 1995 Bonneville SE is not starting. I hear the click of the starter relay and the click of the starter solenoid. I replaced the starter with the same problem. I took the old starter the the auto park store to test and it tested good. I charged the battery to no avail. All the fuses are good. Any other suggestions? I appreciate any help and/or ideas no matter how crazy.

Thank you

Check the ground cables.

Thank you 2KG4U for the reply,

I replaced the battery cables to the solenoid and the battery has been cleared of any corrosion.

I did not mean the battery cables. I believe there is a ground cable that connects the starter directly to the engine block. Follow all the wires coming out of the starter until you find one attached to the engine block, or to the frame. Remove the wire from the block (or frame), clean the connector and the contact point on the block (or frame), put a new star washer on, and reinstall it.

Ok thanks, I will give it a try.

Thank you

Thank you for your reply

I checked the ground wire and still the same problem. I changed the battery tonight as the test showed the old battery had a bad cell. Still same problem.

Does anyone know if the problem could be caused by the anti theft starter kill?

If I remember right, a bad cell in the battery can cause corrosion on your battery cables and connections. I know you said you have checked them but make sure you have physically removed and cleaned all connections from the battery to the starter and all ground wires too. Clean the connections to the solenoid too. Test and make sure you are getting voltage to the the solenoid when you turn the key to start. Make sure you have voltage to the big power cable to the starter. I don't know anything about the anti theft but the starter is pretty basic. If you supply power to the solenoid and have full power to the starter itself. It will turn over, if the starter and solenoid are good. That is why they have the test bench at the parts house. It is so easy to test them. Problem we have is when they are in the vehicle they are not so easy to get to and there are many more connections to deal with. Good luck,
Mike