At some point a while back when starting for the first time of the day the starter just buzzes like it's spinning and not being engage by the solenoid. and thats what i figured it was and i would deal with it. Today i was headed out in the evening and the first time it engaged and spun strong for just a second then nothing but a click from the dash.

The terminals were cruddy so i disconnected and cleaned them jumped it and went to the store 2 minute drive. I came out of the store and warning lamps and headlights came on fine and went out when turned to start position. nothing but a clicking in the dash. I jumped it again started just great.

i drove home and let idle in the driveway for an hour. turned it off and immediately tried and again lights good and clicking in the dash. jump started no problem.

Each time i got it jumped the stereo was reset like i disconnected the battery which makes sense the first time but not the second two. what do you think? starter? im leaving on the tender for the night but i assume that wont help tomorrow.

I measured the battery i have 12.85 volts. Positive cable on solenoid to ground has similar. what else should I check?

 

As i figured being on the charger all night didn't do anything. No turn over. The key in with the door open dinger sounds very weak though the battery measuerment was still at 12.5 plus some Volts this morning.

When I jumped it this morning it took a minute of being connected to the 850 before starting and it spun very slowly for about three turns before it fired.

 

Go to an auto parts store and have your battery tested.

 

Ok I'll admit the first time around cleaning terminals was a half assed attempt to fix this issue. I took the battery out and put on my tester. while it was out and charging up I unbolted all ground straps and cleaned the contact points with steel wool and made the shiny new again. Re strapped them. put new terminal connectors on and cleaned out the battery pan. you'll never guess fired right up first time.

It still however, did the buzz no connect thing today. It sounds like its spinning the starter just not engaging the flywheel. It only does it for the first key turn of the morning so I'll live with for now. Let me know if this is bad idea.

 

Your problem is the starter. It is failing. A hot battery with excellent connections and it starts. Starts w/ a jump because of the extra amperage. When it fails to start, you can remove the small connector on the starter solenoid and jump it to the hot lead on the starter w/ a larhe screw driver and it will start every time. Technically it is the solenoid failing but replacing only the solenoid seldom makes sense as the starter motor is usually just as old.