You need a new battery. Return the starter.
>
That's correct. I need a new battery - I checked the battery and it was dead. It is somehow surprising becaus the battery light indicator was green while the battery dashboard light was quite dimmed.
I installed a new battery and now the car starts normally.
Thank you guys for all your comments/suggestions. Arian
> On 6/28/03 6:46 PM, in article
> snipped-for-privacy@post>
> >> > >>
> >>>> =========================
> >>>> ====
> >>>> From: snipped-for-privacy@mathstat.uottawa.ca (A. Novruzi) > >>>>
> >>>> Colt 200
> >>>>
> >>>> working fine when suddenly, it failed to start up. The check up step
> >>>> passed nornally. When the key is turned on, instead of having the engine
> >>>> running I hear some noise, like tchick-tchick-tchick... which holds as
> >>>> long as the key is kept on ON position.
> >> this indicates the starter solenoid is not getting enough
> >> power to hold it on. as soon as clicks ON, the increased
> >> current lowers the voltage and hence the solenoid
> >> drops out. this is the cycle.
> >>
> >> you can check cables but first, i get the analog voltmeter
> >> out and check the voltage here and there.
> >>
> >> 1. across the posts (not the cable connections, the posts.
> >> if it drops down below 9 volts on crank, you have
> >> a weak battery. maybe not charged. maybe no good.
> >> check another car that works well to understand
> >> what the voltage drop should be.
> >> 2. across the cable connections. checks for poor
> >> connection to the posts.
> >> 3. from the starter solenoid to the ground post
> >> 4. across the posts while the engine is running (s/b above 13) > >>
> >> these checks are done with the key off and while attempting
> >> cranking. you need to use an analog meter not a digital
> >> so you can see the voltage change.
> >> ...thehick
> >
> > Hi Frank,
> >
> > Well, I checked all the cables connected to the battery and to the
> > started/solenoid. All looks fine and so I come to the conclusion that
> > I have to change the starter. I installed a new (rebuild) starter but ...
> > the problem still persists. The car doesn't start. I hear a noise
> > coming from the starter, like tzzzz..., and sometime the sound tchick-
> > tchick-...
> > Surprisingly, in the dashboard, the battery light looks very dimmed,
> > although it is in perfect state and normally its dashboard light should
> > look bright red.
> > Now, I don't know where to look for the problem. Many thanks for any tip. > >
> > Arian