I replaced the alternator not long ago, and had the battery replaced just about 4 or 5 months ago. Every once in a while (not even every day) it fails to start. It will click once (sounds like a relay....I guess it has a "bendix" solenoid for the starter?), and that is all...starter is not even being energized. Jump it from another car, and it will start immediately, and the first time cranked. I checked the alternator output, it is 14 volts. Haven't checked amps yet. When the starting has failed, the battery voltage is still reading 12.5 volts, which I think is normal. Is the bendix solenoid going out possibly? In such a way that it sometimes doesn't pull in to energize the starter at
12.5 v. , but does work at abt. 14 v.?- posted
19 years ago