Wife drove car to work and 8 hours later the car won't start. When the key is turned we here one click then nothing. All lights, controls, radio, and heater fan function. I tried jumping with cables and also a booster pack with the same results. I'm guessing the starter (or starter solenoid relay?), yet since this vehicle is new to us wondering if it is something simpler. Car has 69k miles.

 

It's possible that the connections to the starter are in need of cleaning, same for the engine to chassis ground strap. When the key is turned to start with the lights on do the lights go dim, or stay bright? There are many power and ground connections in these cars, and they can cause trouble with age.

 

Connect your jumper cable between the exhaust manifold and the bolts on the shock tower. Basically your are adding another engine ground strap. If it starts, drive it home like that (make sure the jumper cables are carefully stowed under the hood) then get the ground strap replaced.

 

Check for the burnt connector on the 'false bulkhead'.

The starter/alt wire bolts on there and gets loose/melts.

I see this fault often enough that I keep a spare on the parts shelf.

Also check the MEGA FUSE connection in the boot near the battery.

bob gauff

 

Thank you, I will try these all and post results.

 

After getting it home, a friend tapped the starter while checking the connections and it started. Took his advice and replaced the starter to be on the safe side. Now a month later went to start her and the same thing as before just a click. Came back to my original post to reference what advice to now quadruple check. Guess what I neglected to check all along. The connector at the bulkhead. All that wasted time for a simple fix.