My '90 Jeep Cherokee 4.0 refuses to start. When I turn the key the starter or solenoid makes a humming/buzzing noise, like it's trying to turn the engine without success. However, with the headlights on they only dim slightly, not at all as much as normal. So I got my jumper cable and connected one end to the battery (+), and the other to the solenoid. Connected to the smaller wire it was just like turning the key, but touching the "out" terminal (going to the starter) the starter spins right up, except it doesn't "grab". The same thing happens when I connect the cable to both.
My logic tells me that the solenoid is bad. Any way to make sure without removing the starter from the vehicle? Also, if that's the case, can these be fixed, assuming the starter is ok, or do I have to buy a new one? I've never had this problem before, but it's been parked on the street for two weeks, and now that it's below freezing and snowing it won't start...
Thanks, Ulf