If the click is coming from the starter solenoid then you will probably have to replace it. If the click is coming from the fuel solenoid on the bottom of the starter then you may have a safety switch problem somewhere. Determine where the click is coming from and we can go from there. First make sure that your battery is good and fully charged.
By passing the solenoid will make it work with either symptom. So that won't help diagnose it.
Starter solenoid? Battery not fully charged?
It could be 1 of 4 things. 1.Bad solenoid, 2. Discharged battery, 3. bad battery connections,4. bad connections at the solenoid.
Put a stethoscope or a plastic tube onto the solenoid, listen at it while a friend turns the starter. If solenoid clicks it is good. -Problem then is low battery or dud starter.
Your problem is the starter solenoid. It may be a remote solenoid mounted on the inner fender well. You can easily check it by running a battery booster cable from the positive battery post to the starter side of the solenoid wiring (the heavy wiring). If the starter operates, the solenoid is bad.
Loose or corroded battery cables Weak battery Bad starter Bad neutral switch
Weak battery or bad starter solenoid. Possibly a bad battery cable or corroded connection.
Flat battery or sticky starter motor / solenoid - try re-charging battery or get a jump start Flat battery or sticky starter motor / solenoid - try re-charging battery or get a jump start
Seized engine? Weak battery? Loose or corroded battery cables? Defective starter solenoid? Flat spot on starter?
there is either a bad connection to the solenoid or the solenoid itself is bad
You, in all probabilty have either bad battery connections, a bad battery or the start solenoid. I would say the connections are the problem.
Starter solenoid. Can be tested by bypassing with a screwdriver. Possible low battery, bad connection at battery and cables or bad starter.
Look for a loose or corroded battery cable connection or a faulty starter solenoid/relay switch.