If you hear a single kind of loud clunk from the starter each time you turn the ignition switch to "crank", worn solenoid contacts are real common on the little silver Nippendenso starters. They can be replaced for 20 bucks but most people just replace the entire starter. They always start off being intermittent. It will crank if you cycle the ignition switch from "run" to "crank" enough times.
If you don't hear that clunk and there is no click from the starter relay, suspect the neutral safety switch although that isn't real common. The entire system can be split into four circuits and each one can be tested from the starter relay socket. You'll need a test light or digital voltmeter.
Apr 27, 2011 at 11:24 PM
