Starter question - anybody replaced just the solenoid?

[thomasjamal]

So after a ton of troubleshooting why my car won't start I'm thinking that the starter solenoid is bad, even though the starter tested good at the auto parts store. I followed this tutorial (1991-1994-240sx-starter-not-turning-eng ... 49966.html) and hooked the battery up to the starter directly and it didn't turn over. It didn't buzz, though, but clicked a bunch. So I'm thinking the solenoid is bad.

Since the starter motor tested fine I'm thinking about replacing just the solenoid itself. Advanced Autoparts sells one for about $25 (which is a lot less than a whole starter) but I haven't found any threads where anybody did this. Anybody ever replaced just the solenoid? If so, how did it work out for you?

[vancouverbc]

doesnt the store test the solenoid as well? the solenoid has to be working to get the pinion gear to move. sounds like you have a weak battery.

[thomasjamal]

Nope. You can read my other thread (ka-suddenly-won-t-start-speedometer-jum ... 00872.html) to see all the stuff I've tested. But I noticed that when they tested the starter it had three things it tested. Two of them said pass but under solenoid it said N/A. I've also read where several people had starters pass the bench test that weren't actually good. So that's my best theory at the moment.