When I turn the key the lights on the dash do a flicker but it doesnt try to crank at all. There is a cover shim cap on the neg post since the neg cable wont tighten enough without it. I did check the battery and even charged it but it will not try to turn over.

What are the other things to check? Can a starter be tested or just replace it?

 

Try moving the neg cable around while someone else cranks it....

 

also check the starter and see if it's loose...if it's not connected all the way cause the bolts backed out it's not going to start

if it checks out fine, hit it with a hammer, if it starts then then it's normally the solenoid and/or starter contacts that's bad

 

make sure the wires on the starter haven't wiggled off.

 

Auto or manual trans?

Have a voltmeter, when trying to start the car are you getting ~12v to the small BLK/WHT wire to the starter solenoid?

 

if lights only flicker, most likely a bad connection,

if everything works steady but dims/cuts out when key turned to START, check clutch/neutral interlock switch

 

What are the current temperatures in your area, is your battery rated for appropriate cold cranking amps?

Have you had the battery cranking amps tested? A battery can be charged and hold a charge but still not have enough amps to turn the engine over.

 

Sorry for the late follow up but in the end it turns out that even though I had charged the battery the evening before and was able to get the interior lights and headlights on, the next morning it was dead all over again. The battery was a NAPA battery I had for 4-5 years and it reached a point where it would no longer hold a charge. Went to get a new battery at Advance and after installing it has them check the system to make sure it was charging properly, and it all checked out.

Thanks for the replies.