This morning, one of the local Evo guys had a car problem. It wouldn't start after washing his car. I just met and saw his car today so here's what I know and did.

He has a battery relocation kit to the back of the trunk.
Car started up fine on yesterday.
I hear a click coming from the starter when he tries to start it.
Tried hitting the starter to see if it'll at least spin.
Tried checking wiring.
Push starting the car works fine without the car dying so it's not the alternator.
He drove the car 1 hour to and from the meet just fine with push starting it.
I don't think it'll be fuses because of the click I hear from the starter.

Anyone had this problem before and know the issue? We have yet to replace the starter itself since he didn't have time today to do it.

 

Its either the starter, the battery or battery cables. Ohm out the cables and make sure they're all tight, pull the battery and have it tested. If all of that is good, its the starter. Heck, pull the starter too and get it checked at the same time as the battery.

 

Check out this thread https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...-problems.html me and a few other people are having the same issue that we cannot figure it out.

 

Where did he ground the starter?

 

My bet is wiring. Check junctions mad clean them all even if they look clean. Check all connections. Had this happen on two cars recently within a couple of days of each other and was corrosion in a battery junction that wasn't obvious.

Also check to make sure the battery is good. That's the only other thing that has led to these symptoms in my experience. A proper voltage is a start but not the end all of tests and a "good" voltage varies between battery types. For example 11.8 might start the car just fine on a typical lead acid battery but an Odyssey pc680 at that voltage would be at about zero capacity. Better to have the battery tested for cranking amps like at an advance auto for free.

 

We replaced the starter with mine and it started right up. His old starter wasn't even an OEM unit. Thing rusted to hell and if you smell it, it smells like it was burnt so it was a toasted starter. As to why it smelled burnt is beyond me.

 

Glad you fixed it ! What type of starter was it ? If you don't mind me asking..

 

Wish I could tell you. There was no tags or logos anywhere on it. I'm just glad that the owner was able to drive his car without pushing it anymore.