Crawdad

This is a 96 LX automatic....

I tried to start the car and heard a single click when I turned the key (sounded like the click was coming from below the glovebox area). I pulled the starter and had AutoZone verify that it was good.
I checked the voltage at both connectors on the starter. The main power cable was showing 12 constant volts (like it should). When I turned the key and checked the voltage for starter on/off cable, it would only rise to about 9 volts. Am I supposed to get full 12 volts here in order for it to trigger on the starter? The battery and the starter are both good, so would the starter relay be the culprit?

Next question... where exactly is the starter relay? I searched here and couldn't find a good solid answer. Does anyone have a pic. Thanks for the help in advance.

Crawdad

starter is definately good. I can jump the constant 12 volts over to the solenoid and it will fire. I just can't get the same results from turning the key.

Crawdad

bump

Paprika

Although you're sure the battery is good, do a jump start with a jumper-pack or another car anyway just to be sure. That would be the first thing I'd do reguardless of the battery's supposid health or even if it fires the starter when you jump 12 volts to the solenoid.
Like I say, just to verify it's not a power supply issue, and before you do that I'd double check all connections pretaining to the starter itself and ALL engine grounds. If any are rusted, remove the rust and clean them well.

Also check the connections between your battery cables and the terminals. Make sure they're clean and coorision free.

But definately try the jump start.. I would.

Crawdad

Does the wire that turn on/off the solenoid need to show 12 volts when I turn the key? I noticed that it was only reading around 9.5V when I tried to start it.

Crawdad

You're a genius! I bypassed the wire coming off of my battery and it fired right up. It was strange because when I put my multimeter on it before, there was 12 volts on it. Anyway, once I cleaned off the terminals, the car started up! I think I'll be changing out those wires very soon.

Thanks again for the help!