I HAVE HAD A NEW STARTER MOTOR FITTED AS IT WAS A SUSPECTED SOLENOID PROBLEM BUT STILL THERE IS ONLY A LOUD CLICKING WHEN I TURN IGNITION ON.THE BATTERY IS SAYING IT IS IN GOOD CONDITION AND HAD BEEN FULLY CHARGED, FREELANDER TD4 2000 X REG, IT STARTED WITH A JUMP START BUT WOULD NOT START OFF THE IGNITION KEY AFTER AN HOURS DRIVE.

Two parts to this circuit, the low current: power supply to the ignition switch which then passes to the small wire on the solenoid when you turn the key to the start position, at this point there should be an audible "click" from the solenoid. Don't forget the solenoid needs an earth to operate, so check the earth path too, usually through its attachment point(s) Check that the ignition switch has power going to it. Check that the power is transferred to the start wire when the key is turned. Check the power is arriving at the solenoid, small wire. Check the solenoid has a good earth. Does the solenoid "click" when you try to start? Yes to all this? Then the low current side is good. The high current side: a permanent live (hot) to one side of the solenoid. When the key is turned to the start position and so long as the solenoid "clicks" then the power to the permanently live terminal is transferred to the other high current terminal. If it is not, then the terminals inside the solenoid are burned/dirty/high resistance. You might be able to dismantle, else change the solenoid. If the power does transfer, but the starter motor does not turn, then suspect the starter motor itself. Check there is a good earth for the starter motor, the heavy duty cable to the engine is in good condition, terminals clean and tight etc. If all good, then the starter motor is most likely U/S.

possibly your alternator. if you have a multimeter set it to volts dc and, without the car running, set the probes on the battery. then start the car and repeat the process. the multimeter reading should jump if the alternators good. you will need to charge the battery beforehand it sounds like, do not jump it. if all else fails disconnect a jumper lead befor starting to ensure nothing electrical gets damaged.

The 'click' that you are hearing is most likely the starter solenoid being actuated. If the neutral switch were bad, you should hear no click at all. The likely trouble is the starter motor itself, followed by a less likely defective starter solenoid. You can test for this with a voltmeter or test light on the starter terminal--if you get nothing but clicks, the test light should come on each time the key is operated which shows a defective starter motor. If no light at all, suspect the starter solenoid. Hope this helps!

Obtain a 12 volt test light, ground the clip on the negative battery post, and check for light at the large terminal on the starter solenoid. If lit, have someone try the key--if the light goes out, place the light on the battery positive post and try the starter again. If it goes out again, either the battery needs to be charged, or it is defective. If the light stays lit in the first test, then place the light on the starter motor terminal and retry the key (do you hear a fairly loud click?). If nothing but the click, replace the solenoid itself. If no click at all, test the small terminal on the solenoid and try the key. If you get light, replace the solenoid. If no light, check for blown fuses. If ok, then suspect a bad ignition switch. Hope some of this helps!

If you are getting a click that is the solenoid, check the large wire from the solenoid to the starter, if thats ok then the starter is suspect, most likely the brushes in the starter are too worn to make contact, as you need a heavy duty soldering iron to fit new ones an exchange unit is preferable.

shorting to start motor will allow the motor to turn but the ignition system is still off.
try with key turned to ignition position.
suspect starter solenoid on starter motor.
suspect fuses maybe there is a fuse which has blown.
suspect ignition key switch maybe defective.

check the starter..is there a click?if so... wiggle battery connections..if still nothing... try tapping on the starter under the jeep while somebody turns over the engine

Does it make the loud click just once, or will it continue to click when you turn the key?
If it is just once, then there is still a bad connection someplace for the main power. If it continues to click every time you turn the key to "start", then it is probably the starter solenoid itself that is bad. There are two big terminals (bolts) on the solenoid, and if you connect a 12V test light or meter across them, you should see power there. If the light doesn't go out (or very dim) when you turn the ign. to 'start', then the solenoid is bad. If the light goes out and the starter doesn't turn, then there is something wrong with the starter. I suspect the solenoid also because it works better with a strong charge on the battery.

The click you are hearing is the starter solenoid. This solenoid is a relay that applies 12 volts (at high current) to the starter motor. When you turn the ignition key you apply 12 volts ( at low current) to the solenoid. If jiggling the key solves the problem all of the time I would suspect the ignition key assembly.
If jiggling the key only works some of the time I would suspect the solenoid/starter assembly. For your info the solenoid/starter comes as a complete assembly, when you buy it.

Hope this helps

Loringh

Check to make sure that when you turn on ignition switch the solenoid is receiving power to engage the pinion gear and feed power to the starter motor. It is new so I suspect it is not receiving juice. U may have some bad connection causing the intermittent issue. PIA.