1996 Challenger Wont start

[brenthenny]

Hello,
When I click the start button on my 1996 challenger all I get is a click coming from the starter relay. The engine will still turn over when I cross over the relay. Last week the engine wasn't starting and made a loud thunk noise when I tried to start it and I thought it may have been hydrolocked however there didn't end up being any oil in the cylinders and it started to run fine for a few days then this started happening. The battery is brand new and the starter's brushes have been replaced. Does this sound as simple as a new starter relay?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Mister Magoo]

Put a meter on the battery to verify that the "new" battery in fact has enough voltage. From there I would ohm the solenoid and them ohm the windings of the starter. Check the grounds and the starter/solenoid/battery cables. My experience with these boats leads me to believe that the battery is often the culprit in these types of problems. BTW, hydro locked engines are water in the cylinder.

 

[OldSkis]

did you bench test the starter? i had one on my starboard motor that bench tested fine but when i installed it on the motor it would engage the flywheel but would not actually turn the motor over. I ended up buying a cheap starter for $40 online and it's been going ever since. I know a lot of guys are anti-aftermarket on the starters but i had the oem one out and in 3 times and ive become way to efficient at it replacing it with the motor in the hull and figured i could do it again in 30 minutes time and i have a spare one i ordered as well.

 

[jts32]

If the motor will turn over when you jump the solenoid, then the battery nor starter are the problem. Check connections for corrosion, but most likely the starter solenoid

 

[BokehZ]

Starter relay is like 20 bucks and located in the black box towards the front of the engine. Easy to replace with common tools and a 30 minute job. It's well worth your time to do no-matter what... Since it's one of the most common problems on this engine.

 

[brenthenny]

Thanks I have replaced the relay and originally for the first three starts it worked perfectly. However it has gone back to doing this

 

[MDR]

Sounds like there's enough juice to engage the bendix but not enough to spin the motor.
The fact that all's well when you jump the solenoid leads me to believe that the solenoid is the problem.