i got a used starter from an owner who said he got it tested and worked fine. at first it did nothing at all, just like my old starter. then after a couple cranks it started to make rapid clicking noises, again like how my old starter would do occasionally. then i started hitting it, an old trick i learned with my old starter, and then it finally started. basically im not sure if this is normal or not when putting on a starter that has been laying around. is it?

by the way when it finally started i saw a huge spark and then it started. spark when from the starter and shot outward towards the radiator. what happened?

it is now starting normal for the next 2 starts, but i dont know if its going to crap out on me sometime soon....

 

the solinoid is sticking by the sounds of it. You could tear it apart and *** with the solinoid, but lilkey you're going to experience the same issues at one point or another!

 

i dont really wanna tear it apart because that may just make it worse.

acted up again today...first no sounds at all when cranking. then waited a little then heard the starter trying to start with a rapid "clicking" sound. then went with the hitting trick and it started. this sucks...any other problems it could be? if theres a bad connection, where could it be?

 

mine made that clicking noise/exact same symptoms. Took it to get tested, it wasn't working. Replaced it, hasn't happened since.