Chevy Astro starter clicking???

[DutchBrad]

1996 Chevy Astro - 4.3 Vortec V-6 107k on van - the starter clicks while starting the van? Not all the time, it seems to happen in colder (40F or below) temps. Sounds like the clicking when your battery is dead, but the starter does start the van. It clicks as long as I am cranking the starter. To my knowledge the starter is original. I have owned the van since 1999 and have never changed it.

I plan on cleaning the electrical contacts on the starter tomorrow, to make sure it has good contact. I have never cleaned the contacts. The battery (Interstate) and battery electrical bolts are new as of a month ago. I watched a youtube video replacing a starter on a 305 V-8, that video said the GM starters are all similar. Two bolts and the electrical connections. I will look under the van tomorrow to see what kind of clearance I have. Has anyone ever heard of this clicking???

 

[NHGUY]

Corroded/loose cables,or a bad solenoid.Its not holding steady current.

 

[bullwinkle]

Sounds like the stud-mount cables are loose-need to get those good and clean and coated with battery protector.

 

[DutchBrad]

The connections looked clean, so I changed out the starter and all is well. AAP $40 coupon on line, also got a couple of Bosch Distance oil filters since I had the discount, so those will net out to around $6 each after rebate. VERY happy.

 

[DutchBrad]

Just another follow up on this issue - the core issue ended up being my radio. It was causing a load on the battery, I pulled the radio memory fuse (radio time, presets, etc) - the draw slowed down, but did not go away until I pulled the main fuse. The other day I pulled out the radio, reinstalled the fuses, and have no battery drain anymore. I have a new Pioneer CD Receiver on order from Crutchfield, should finally fix the issue and give me some tunes back. Ended up the starter was fine, but it was 16 years old, so I am glad I changed it.