Starting Sometimes when I turn the key I just get a click sound. The battery and alternator are good. Changed the solenoid but still having problems. Always starts but not always on the first try! Help!!

Battery good, cables good, all connections clean and tight, no corrosion on battery terminals?
Try to determine if click is from solenoid on the starter or starter relay. Turn the headlights on and watch them while someone turns the key to start. If they get dim, probably the starter-have it tested-even new ones are sometimes bad. If lights don't dim, you will need to check the start circuit. Check for power on the small wire to starter solenoid when key is held in start. If no power there, work back towards the ignition switch. Check the neutral safety switch-should have power in and power out when key held in crank. The ignition switch will have a start wire out of the switch going to the neutral safety switch. It should have power with key in start, the only time the start wire will have power.
Post back with what you find-good luck.

check for good connections from ignition switch to starter solenoid needs full power when hot

the clicking that you hear is coming from the starter relay. sounds like your ignition starter switch or ignition lock cylinder is bad.

if it is just making a ' clicking ' sound - then this is ususlly a sign that the battery is bad and does not have the Amps to engage the starter. the clicking sound that you hear is the starter solenoid.
replace your battery with a new one ( car batteries really are only good for 4 to 5 years ) -- and when you change the battery, check to make sure your alternator is also putting out the proper voltage to charge the system,, ( most battery test/supply shops will do this for free to make sure everything is fine ).
NOW -- if your battery is good (?) - then the problem is the starter solenoid itself and it will need to be replaced. the starter and the solenoid are sold as a complete unit.
to get your car to the battery shop -- just jump start the vehicle using another vehicle. ( NOTE: when attaching the cables to the battery - make sure your keys are out of the ignition, as the 'SPIKE' sometimes can harm sensitive computer units in the car,, after about 2 minutes of attaching the cables - then put your keys in the ignition and start the car. ).

c...

Is your starter staying engaged after starting? if so probably ignition switch.

have you checked the battery and alternator to make sure the battery is charged? and the alternator is charging? the clicking usually comes from a dead battery not being able to turn over the motor.

The clicking is the starter solenoid which is normal, the starter motor is not making a good contact due to it's worn, a starter replacement will fix the problem.

Hi,
Sounds like a bad starter relay. When you turn your key to start, current flows through a relay which in turns supplies 12 volts to the solenoid on your starter motor. As you alluded to , typically the common clicking sound that we all hear occasionally, is usually related to a flat battery or bad starter motor, but as you have had these checked (by a professional?) the only possibility is the relay that supplies 12 volts DC to your starter motor solenoid.
Thought you might find this interesting to help you understand ignition systems:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/ignition-system.htm
Cheers,
Steve (Melbourne, Australia)

Hi Meadors,

The clicking sound you heard most likely the starter solenoid engaging the starter. Only in this case it's failing to engage the starter. This is a classic symptom of a low battery. Here's why.

In a perfect world, when you turn the key to start:

1. the solenoid is fed 12VDC which engages an electromagnetic coil inside it.
2. A spring loaded steel piston inside this coil reacts to the magnetic field. It is pulled against the spring. By itself this sounds like a loud decisive CLICK.
   
3. The movement of the piston simultaneously pushes the starter gear into the flywheel and sends power to the starter via heavy duty contacts. The starter draws a lot of power.
4. The starter spins, turns the engine, the engine starts, life is good.
5. When the key is released, the solenoid disengages, the spring pushes the piston back, the starter gear disengages from the flywheel.
   

In our world, when you turn the key to start:

1. The solenoid which draws it's share of power engages as before. Click.
   
2. As the starter tries to spin, the power available is insufficient. It draws all remaining power, there isn't enough left to keep the solenoid active and it turns off.
3. Since the starter isn't drawing power anymore, the solenoid re-engages and the cycle starts over. Click.
4. The cycle repeats. Click. A series of rapid clicks. Same page?
   

While a dead battery is the prime suspect, there can be other causes. Things to do:

• Check belts, specifically on the alternator.
• Terminal connections clean and tight.
• In the 'Let's not over look the obvious' department: Battery voltage?
• Get a jump. Try a jump start.
• If a jump gets you going, it is either the battery not holding a charge or the alternator not providing one.
  

Even new batteries can be bad off the shelf. Especially if they have been on that shelf for a while. They may show the voltage but not the amps. This is called a 'Surface Charge'.

If you don't have a voltmeter, what you need to do now is visit an auto parts store (not a shop). Most (in the hope of making a sale) will provide free testing of batteries and charging systems.

What you need is called a "Load Test" on the battery. It simulates the load of an engine being started. This will confirm the battery is good or bad.

Then with the car running, they need to check the voltage to the battery (they will know this). If it's not above +13VDC, the alternator is bad or not connected correctly.

And if it doesn't start, what better place to be?

Let me know what they and you find out by commenting.
Best regards
Mike

if you notice this van should have a statrer solenoid on the fender as well as on the starter, clean the body of the solenoid on the fender area and make sure that the ground cable is secure and tight do not wiggle which is just making it loose if it is so go under the vehicle and make sure that the cable is tight