won't start just clicks

[reno240sx]

So I just finished my swap. I was able to crank the engine with the CAS unplugged to prime it with oil and then start it. The car ran great. The next day I went out to start it and it won't turn over. It just makes a clicking noise. I thought it was maybe a bad starter but I swapped in another starter and it does the same thing. The car starts right away if I bump start it. I checked all the connections and they seem to be good. The starter was perfect one day and now doesn't work.

Also I'm getting weird behavior in my dash. The tach bounces around when the key is in the "on" position. I think I may have forgot to connect a ground when doing the wiring so I think that may be the problem with the tach.

Please somebody help me figure this out. All I want to do is finally drive my car.

[stevesrt4]

clicking? that sounds like a dead bettery... gages bouncing though, i dunno?

[reno240sx]

It's a brand new battery, but just to be safe I tried jumping it and it did the same thing.

[zippitta]

Replace the terminal connectors that go to the battery. sounds like the wire might be a little corroded inside. it explains the bouncing tach and the car only starting when you jump the starter.

[Silvia007]

Could be loose wires on the starter.

[reno240sx]

So today I replaced the negative battery cable (it was pretty corroded). I've checked the connections on the starter and they are good. I took the starter out and left it wired and it spins. It still won't start, just clicks as if it isn't getting enough power. Is there anyway to wire a switch straight from the battery to the starter? Like a push button start. Now I'm starting to think there is a short somewhere in the wiring harness maybe.

[Silvia007]

If you were to stick a ratchet with a socket large enough for the crank pulley nut, can you turn your engine?

Oh and if it's a manual, you should try push starting.

[reno240sx]

I can push start it and it starts right up.

[zippitta]

There is too much resistance in the power wire. Use a multimeter to track it down, but I am pretty sure that it is at the terminal. Cut the terminal connector off and replace it.

[reno240sx]

Thanks. I just bought a new connector, tomorrow morning I'll put it on and hopefully that will work. If not I'll have to wait to borrow a multimeter.

[zippitta]

So have you gotten it to work yet?

[reno240sx]

I replaced the connector and still have the same problem. I've been busy with work and school I haven't had time to get my hands on a multimeter. Tonight a friend suggested to me that I should check my motor to chassis grounds. I'm hoping to try that on Wednesday.

If that doesn't work I was thinking about running a wire straight off the battery to a switch and then to the starter. Then running a ground off the starter to the engine or the frame.

[zippitta]

Replace the ignition relay...they are like 5 dollars.

[reno240sx]

I finally fixed it today! It ended up being bad grounds. Now it starts everytime.

Thanks for all your help zippitta!