Guys, I changed the thermostat in my 416 stroker last quickly outside before the rain, and I quickly rinsed the engine off with light water, where some of the anti freeze spilled over onto my intake and what not. Afterwards, I went to put the car back in the garage and mini starter clicked by didnt spin the engine. Now, even though this didnt make much sense to me, I thought maybe I got something wet, so we pushed it back inside to dry over night. However, this afternoon it will still not start. The mini starter has 500 miles on it. I think this is too big of a coincidence with with me getting the engine wet and it all of the sudden having the only problem i've ever had with it. Any suggestions? I'm going home to try to blow the starter with compressed air. Thanks

When you gut the starter out remove the steel cover with the three small screws.Then just slide the plunger out and make sure the small copper contacts are clean and the plunger moves smoothly and pushes the pinion gear out.This is all good info provided you have already checked your ground and you have enough voltage at the starter.
Gus

bad battery?

water has grounded it out

hold the key and have someone "tap" the starter with a hammer,easy taps...

the mini has a round washer disc/plunger rod for a contact and the will get pitted some and do the "clicking" thing

if it loaded with water inside the starter it might have short the contact,the tapping might get it to move..

make sure no water is on the terms of the starter relay ...does it hit by jumping the relay?

I have had a few stock min starters do the clicking and a quike rebuild and a start shop takes car of it

will use same contacs as a yota starter also

my local alt/starter rebuilder got the kit and installs it 65$

might try napa for it also

but then again,if it drys out and works you may be ok

good luck

Quote:

---

turn the headlights on & if they work you have enough battery

---

my truck wouldn`t crank it only clicked and the headlights would light fine. guess what? bad battery

Sorry guys I should have been more clear, I have a good new battery, it shows 12.5 volts with my meter, and I already bypassed the relay on the fender for the ig. switch. so I know that not the problem. I guess my main question is whether the starter solenoid is bad, or is it possible that water could be laying down on the terminals and grounding it out, or worse could have gotten into it. Unfortunately, the car is upstairs in my buiding and the compressor is downstairs, so I can't blow out with water. being brand new and no prior problems Im hoping and thinking I have a water issue

keeep em comin

Bad battery or poor battery post connection. Poor ground.