Solenoid rattle on start up. Goes away immediately on start. V 6 motor

Quite likely the rattle is a relay or solenoid that is trying to activate but there's not enough power to make it work properly. The solenoid on the starter motor will make such a noise when it's not getting enough power.

Depending on location, getting 5 years from a battery is optimistic. Since you're mentioning the battery almost right away, I think you may have your answer but have not had it or your charging system tested. Your regular repair shop will be able to test your battery and charging system for you for a reasonable cost and will help you determine what steps you need to take next.

There are two large terminals One terminal will be just a nut on a bolt and the other will have a wire under the nut that goes down into the starter. The batter wire goes on the one that just has the nut. If you put it on the other one the starter will spin immediately as you are supplying power to the armature direct and by passing the solenoid.

Hi Paul, What vehicle, year of manufacture, model of vehicle? Are you referring to a Vanos system on a BMW or VVTI. What engine oil do you use in your vehicle and how often do you have lube services carried out? How old is the vehicle and has any other work been carried out on the vehicle? The more info you give us, the more chance there is of being able to help you. Regards John

sounds to me like a heat sheild is loose on the fire wall or under the car

the starter solenoid is staying engaged internal. replace starter solenoid or starter you'll be fine. good-day. If it makes a rattle (clak.clack.clak) before it catches it's just worn teeth on the fly wheel and it goes away. If the starter isn't engaged by the selonoid but it has power it's defective. If that still isn't it it's either the wireing to the starter or the switch itself

I would start with testing your starter a bit more thoroughly. A starter does not always "click" when it goes bad. Often it does nothing at all.
Use regular jumper cable to do this test or a "jumper box." Hook the red to positive and black to negative on the battery when you are ready to do the bench test. Remove the starter and put it into a vice. The "big terminal" on the starter solenoid is where the positive battery cable goes. There are one or two smaller terminals on the solenoid, one going to the "start" position on the ign switch.
On a bench test, the negative battery jumper cable goes to the vice that is holding the starter by the frame. The Positive goes to the "big terminal" on the solenoid. Jump from the big terminal to one of the smaller ones with a jumper wire or a screwdriver blade to actuate the solenoid. It should click and the starter should whirrrrr. If it does, don't get carried away and let it spin freely for a long time - it's not good to run a starter with no load for extended periods of time, especially an old and tired one.
If it doesn't spin, look for another "big" wire going into the starter. On GMs you can usually see it at the other end of the solenoid - it goes into the body of the starter. Carefully touch the positive jumper cable to it and the starter should immediately whirrrr and you should get a good sized spark - that is normal - the starter is a heavy current eater.
If you get no whir from that test then the starter motor is fried inside. You can take it apart and see if it is fixable (new brushes, a clean-up of the commutator and possibly new windings, but at that point I would suggest a rebuilt starter/solenoid assembly.
If the starter did whir on the last test then you can remove the solenoid and either rebuild it or replace it, the later being a good idea. The new starter will come with a new or rebuilt Bendix drive which is probably next in line for failure.

See is power goes to the solenoid wire by checking it about a foot away from the solenoids connector. If power does exisit then check the soleoid wire a foot away from the solenoid to the solenod nut for power. If nothing shows the fuseable link in that wire is shorted out. That link provides protestion from overloads burning out the starters solenoid
Of course you will need the ignition key on when doing these test

SOLENOID REPLACEMENT
(see Figures 5, 6 and 7)

Prior to removing the solenoid from the starter motor unit, matchmark the solenoid-to-starter motor housing position, as shown in the accompanying illustration.

1. Remove the starter motor from the vehicle.
2. Detach the solenoid-to-starter motor wire from the solenoid terminal.

Do not disassemble the solenoid; if the solenoid is defective, replace the entire unit with a new one.

1. Remove the two attaching screws, then slide the solenoid out of the starter motor housing flange.
   

Fig. 5: Before removing the starter motor solenoid, matchmark the solenoid-to-starter motor housing relationship



Fig. 6: Disconnect the field coil lead from the solenoid by loosening the retaining nut ...



Fig. 7: ... then remove the two attaching screws and separate the solenoid from the motor housing


To install:

1. Inspect the solenoid plunger joint for wear or other damage. Replace it, if damage is evident.
2. Apply Suzuki Super Grease A (99000-25010) or equivalent, to the solenoid plunger and to the tip of the lever arm (inside the starter motor-to-solenoid housing hole).
3. Insert the solenoid into the starter motor housing, ensuring that the matchmarks made during removal are aligned.
4. Install and tighten the two attaching screws securely.
5. Attach the starter motor-to-solenoid wire to the solenoid terminal.
6. While the starter motor is removed form the vehicle, perform the testing procedure to ensure that the new solenoid functions properly.
7. Install the starter motor.

Hope this help (remember rated and comment this).

i have this same problem with my jeep. i am going to change the shift solenoid out.

the clicking sound is the starter solenoid. if the solenoid is defective, the car would not turn.

the contacts of the solenoids are already worn out.

either replace just the solenoid or the whole starter.



tnx 4 using fixya,

drcool