Starter clicks 1 to 20 times before it cranks and ocassionaly when running it grinds starter even when you turn key off it continues to crank for 10 to 20 seconds batery replaced and good terminals

check --clean and test battery and connections --------

ever see the car run perfect ever before) (history)
WHAT DOES TURN OVER MEAN?
THE STARTER SPINS
THE CRANK SHAFT SPINS
IF LUCKY BOTH DO.
THE WORD TO USE IS CRANKS.
WILL NOT CRANK
STARTER IS SILENT OR ONLY CLICKS OR CHATTERS.
MY JEEP PUSH STARTS, SEE?
1/2 THE POSTERS CALLS TURNS OVER FOR RUNNING, use the word cranking, for clarity.

SO the STARTER IS DEAD.
THIS IS SUPER COMMON AND ANSWERED HERE 1000'S OF Times and google shows 3 million hits.

lets do this 1 more time 1001th.
ALL FUSE ARE GOOD. (FOR ANY ELECTRIC FAIL)
there are 5 causes.( we now know stater was solenoid
1: the battery is bad. use jumper cables to prove that
or charge it first then load test it . lugs tight and clean.
SO bat. is good because step 5 passes, starter jumped.
2:key switch bad or IMMO security fails and some cars 10% cut starter dead with the fuel.
3: PRNDL switch bad (A/t box?)_ try cranking in Neutral now. fails. see next answer.
4: starter relay bad.
5: starter bad. no it works solenoid direct jump test.
6: any wires above serial path bad, one is.

IMMO is (never skip looking at dash lamp first)
SECURILOCK
PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM
page 86 in your lost users guide but free to find googled. every time.

If the theft indicator stays on for
an extended period of time or flashes rapidly, have the system
serviced by your dealer! (or some ASE pro shops)


86 free to see, (I do not know merc, logic on immo deeply) yes some IMMO sure do cut starter.and fuel

https://www.manualowl.com/am/Mercury/2005-Mariner/Manual/4428?page=77#manual

more
you can make(DIY) 8 keys for this car.(add 6)
but 2 must still be working first, car came with 2.
page 87 words.

bad fuses is first (done) good.
head lamps work key off and ON?
glow plugs dead?

what means cranks
not even cranking at all
the starter motor DC spins called cranking
then starter motor cranks the crank shaft fast. if does the engine starts if fuel is there and glow plugs not dead.
do not use the word crank for start.
starts and runs and sustains running is what matters
if the starter fails that is simple causes, not like dead engines and 50 causes see?

the starter will not spin if
battery dead or weak or 4 lug ends loose or rusty
starter relay not bad.
PRNDL switch (A./T box) fails in park we next crank it in Neutral


I fail to understand this line
"after trying a few times it's not even cranking at all.? starter motor dead? try to more clear ,?
starter RPM is near 300 on most cars/trucks. 500cca or more.
starters do all these things, for sure, failing: below:
GRRRRRRGGRRRR good sound.,,NORMAL:
dead silent starter. but relay may click or not.
clicks its solenoid , weakly , nothing else happens.
chatters the solenoid but cranks shaft dead. 8v at battery caused.
loud bang!, starter sound on seized engine, or starter shims wrong.(if)
or starter itself is pure Seized, up.
starter spins crazy fast, not crankshaft at all
caused by bad starter drive gear & its mate, flywheel ring gear
even a dirty starter drive pinion jammed up in gunk there. can not slide fully.
starter is slow, as is crank shaft bad battery or bad starter, yes starters can fail and be weak, or 100% intermittent, same as PRNDL or relay

if starter motor ever fails on any car (not sinkn hondas)
the next step is crank in neutral foot on brake.
PRNDL, the P switch fails first and the N, mostly not.
all tow truck drivers know this.
and use jumper cables to prove battery is not droppng low.
under load, below 10vdc cranked is not good as computers can go off line below that ending fueling.
Solenoid main chatters at 8vdc., spec on them actual. and me testing them.

see this gem of voltage plot in time,
scope view or GDMM
see the 10volts there? this drop is battery cell resistance only
normal.

could be battery . It needs a huge amount of charge to turn over the starter motor. It may work the headlights but be unable to turn the starter motor.
Suggest get battery tested at a battery seller to see if battery is really ok .
The click is most likely the solenoid on the starter motor clicking on.
You might be able to get someone to run jumper leads
Note +ve to + ve and negative to negative !
from their car while the engine is running and their car is not moving !
Wait 10 minutes
Then try to crank over your car engine .

I jump started a 4wd vehicle a month ago from my car and it took about 10 minutes to get enough charge in it to crank over the engine !

everything you mention indicates a failing starter motor. Pull it and have it bench tested by an accredited auto electrician as they can be repaired if the failure is not to bad.

the starter pinion is grinding on the flywheel,
classic on all cars.
1: low battery voltage caused by 10 things. use a voltmeter 10-v minimum cranking, if not post actual voltage
2: starter pinion shaft seizing.
3: starter solenoid seiziing.
4: engine seized, turn over by hand at front of pulley ,is it ok?
6: damaged flywheel ring gear,
7: starter bolts loose causing it to jam due to tilt.
8: starter bad, shorted, or weak,

engine seized has many paths, even hydralocked, so i check that first. to avoid, total destruction of same.
i turn it over by hand with my big wrench. key off. in park or neutral if M/T

Could mean that you're washing the cylinders could be ******* the starter. A dry start. If it's not that then replace the starter. A symptom could be poor fuel mileage or you need to change your oil. Use a Lucas additive for dry start if it's not the starter.

This is perfectly normal on 02 and up GM cars The starter will engage and release when the car's engine runs. If you let go of the switch before the engine runs, the vehicle will continue to start until the engine starts. Once the vehicle starts, even if you crank it again, it will not grind your starter because of the anti-grind feature built with that model. Do not worry my friend, your car is fine!

Hello I have simular problem the ignition on is stuck in that position with the key turned off and out of the ignition switch.It feels like the key switch is spinning freely in the ignition. Do I need an ignition switch?

The security system will keep it from turning over on that model. You need to try a 30 minute theft learn. Follow these instructions closely. Try to start the car, then leave the key on for 10 min. Turn the key off, 2 or 3 seconds. Turn the key back on, do not try to start the car this time, leave the key on for 10 min. Turn the key off again, turn it back to run, do not try to start it again, leave it for 10 more minutes. Then turn it off, and then try to crank it. If it is a security problem and it is not the ignition damaged it will crank. Good Luck. Mike From Texas.