Defective solenoid?
A solenoid valve is a valve controlled by an electrical coil. A spring keeps the valve closed. When power is turned on to the coil, a plunger is pulled, opening the valve.
It controls the power to the transmission solenoid.It controls the power to the transmission solenoid.
Answercheck the solenoid wire at started for power when switch at start position.If no power, check neutral safety switch, or main ignition switch on steering column under dash.NOT the key tumbler assembly it has a rod that goes down column to the ignition switch
3 reasons either the starter is not getting power from the solenoid, solenoid is not getting power from the battery or starter is burned up.
Usually you can bang on the starter with a hammer when it doesnt want to start and that will do the trick. It will engage and the car will start. If that is the case then the problem is the starter itself and not the solenoid. You can also remove both and take it into any Kragens or autozone and they will bench test it for free and tell you. You can also use the screw drive method by bypassing the solenoid and applying power directly to the started by laying it across the 2 terminals. if it starts then the solenoid is the problem assuming you have power to it.
with the power off
The wiring of the solenoid will depend on what purpose the solenoid serves and the brand. In basic terms, when power is turned onto the solenoid, the inner coil pulls the plunger. The unit needs power and a ground, with a switch or relay to trigger it.
The wire from the battery to solenoid is corroded & should be replaced.
There could be a wire break causing the loss of power to the solenoid. Or there could be a problem with the neutral safety switch, if the switch is bad there will not be any power to the solenoid.
It may be the starter solenoid that is clicking. If the battery is very low when you try to start the car, the solenoid will engage but the starter will not turn. Because the battery is so low, there is not enough power to hold the solenoid closed (in the start position) and try to turn the started so as the starter draws power, the solenoid clicks open, The starter doesn't draw any power with the solenoid open so the solenoid has power to close again, the starter tries to draw power and the cycle repeats. The sound seems to come from behind the glovebox because the solenoid is probably mounted on the passenger side of the engine compartment.
A three post solenoid switch:Large power inLarge power outSmall power in to activate or (rare) small power out to activateThe body of a three post must be grounded to the car body to work.
The positive battery cable connects directly to the starter. Depending on what type of vehicle it is, the solenoid is either on the starter or on the inner fender. Power for the solenoid comes from the ignition switch. You can run a wire to the solenoid to cause the starter to engage.