Help! '90 legacy LS wagon won't turn over.....

[paigeanne]

I have a '90 Legacy LS wagon, have replaced the starter, new battery and checked all the fuses....Starter is engaging but car won't start....will push start and run fine but just clicks when I try and start it. Anyone had this problem? ~Paige~

[evolutionmovement]

Is it turning over with the starter or not? You said it just clicks, but that it's also engaging. If it's just clicking, it's probably a stuck solenoid on the starter. Try whacking the top of the starter with a hammer. The solenoid is the smaller cylinder section on top of the starter. If it starts after whacking it a couple of times it'll likely need to be replaced. How many miles? These starters are usually pretty robust - my mechanic says he's never replaced one and mine's original with 235k mi.

The other likely culprit (and I'd check this first now that I think of it), is the wire from the battery to the starter. Check the ends for corrosion, especially the one at the battery and clean it with some battery or whatever engine type cleaner you have handy and a wire brush if it's bad.

Steve