I have a 1996 850 that clicks when I try to start it. It started just fine in the morning, but would not start later in the day. I could not jump start the car when it died. I saw that the voltage was reading only 6 volts, so I figured the battery was defective as it was only a week old. The battery tested good (slightly low voltage, because I drained it with failed starts), but the shop gave me a new one anyway. I put the new battery in, but the voltage still says 6 volts and I cannot get more than a click out of the car and I still cannot jump it. I would like to fix it at the house vs. tow it to the shop. Your suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

There are several threads that mention positive battery lead problems. Have you searched for those? Also, how do you know it's reading 6V?

 

Ya, where are you checking the voltage?

 

Possibly bad starter.

 

Lets not jump to conclusions yet. Lets find out where he is checking the voltage.

 

Thanks for replies. Embarrassingly admit to reading the voltage across the leads wrong. It was the starter.