I thunk the solenoid is gone on my hayter - battery is good but I only get a click when trying to start it. But where is the solenoid located and is it easy to replace?

Hello; what happens when you turn the ignition key to the start position? Are you getting a clicking sound? If so, it is most likely the starter solenoid that has gone on the fritz. The starter solenoid is located on the passenger side fender well inside the engine compartment. Sometimes, lightly tapping the solenoid with the handle end of a screwdriver will jostle it to work- DO NOT HIT IT HARD...you'll break the housing. Try jumping out the solenoid with the long shaft of the screw driver by turning the ignition key to the run position (where all the dash lights turn on), then jump out the solenoid; if the engine starts to turn over, you've isolated the problem. Replace the solenoid with a genuine Ford replacement part; don't use third party ones that can be purchased cheaply at an auto parts store. They don't last very long since they CANNOT handle the high current flowing to the starter, Let me know how you made out with your repair project; best wishes. BTW, if it is helpful, snap a photo of the solenoid before removing any terminals from it in case you forgot which wire goes where.

constant clicking means the solenoid for your starter motor is either:
- Defective (not likely- since the click means it was working momentarily)
- Not getting enough power to stay on (battery is good for light, not for amperage of starter motor)
- Turns itself off due to overload amperage (seized starter motor/engine)

The clicking is commonly just an indicator of a dead battery; the solenoid clicks- connects power to the huge drain of the starter motor- then, as the amperage draw "browns out" the battery, not enough power is left to keep the solenoid on- clicks off. power drain is gone- solenoid clicks back on- (repeat until battery is REALLY too dead to even get the solenoid to click)

Its important to note that interior lights, dashboards, and stereos draw very little power, an are not good indicators of battery charge.

I would recommend getting a jump-start from somebody, before doing anything more intense. After engine is running, maybe bring it to a mechanic to check its battery charging circuit.

Depends on what are you hearing when you try to start. Does the Engine sound like it is trying to start, does the starter even spin? or when you turn the key you hear 1 click but all the lights and everything comes on? If you hear multiple clicks and your lights are dim, that means your battery is done. There are a few things you can check before spending a lot of money. First check to see if your battery is good, 2 check the battery terminals to make sure they are tight, 3 check the condition of the battery cables if they are old or rusty, try to replace them with new ones, they cost 8-10 bucks. 4 try to replace the starter relay in the engine fuse box, this costs 12 dollars usually. if none of these are the issue, then its either you starter solenoid or the starter motor has gone bad. I suggest instead of replacing the solenoid, replace the whole motor which comes with the solenoid.

check for battery,battery terminals not clean for good contact,faulty starter solenoid. Tapped the starter with something heavy and try to start.

hello there
send me a email to [email protected]
i will send you factory picture of the cable location.Also ,what model do you have?
proporsche

Start with making sure your battery is good (12 Volts). The other issue that could be is a bad starter and will need to be replaced. The clicking noise you hear is the starter solenoid working to activate the starter, once the starter has gone bad. It will not turn the engine, you might want to try to start the engine with another car boosting the battery. A weak batter will not have enough cracking amp to turn the starter, even though you have 12 volts.

Good luck and you can buy a rebuilt starter at Auto Zone, they will also have the step by step instructions for you to get the job done.

Thank you for using fixya and be safe.

that sounds like a jammed starter solenoid

the starter motor or its engagement solenoid may be faulty. If the carbon brushes are worn inside the starter then it may click and not turn or turn slowly.

It really needs replaced or reconditioned at an auto electrical shop, and make sure the battery can supply its rated current (this can be tested at most tyre depots) as the starter requires some 300 to 400 amps to crank a cold engine, and a poor battery can seem ok during normal running but only supply low current when starting, causing erratic starter motor operation.

Also check the battery terminals, starter terminals, and earth cables are tight and clean.

It sounds l; like the starter solenoid has gone bad or the wire to the solenoid has gone bad. Check the wire harness to the starter and solenoid on the starter. If the wire is good, then it's the solenoid that needs to be replaced. If you remove the starter, Auto Zone can test it for you and should have the solenoid for the starter alone or it you like you can replace the whole unit. Starter and solenoid together. Good luck and hope this helps.

When your solenoid receives a voltage signal from the ignition you can hear a "click" when it engages. If your engine turns over like it wants to start or you hear a clicking or a buzzing under the hood your starter works. If you turn your lights on after starting and they work it's not electrical at all. If you try to start it and you hear a high pitch whining type of noise and then your battery dies, then the teeth on your flywheel are gone.  The starter will just spin there and it will drain your battery with a quickness.