I did check the search but didn't find anything with my same details.
I just picked up a 96 2wd XE 5sp with 230,xxx miles on it. Its in pretty good condition but it wont start. I bought it knowing this.
I went to look at it knowing it wont start but while we were there I tried to jump it and it fired up and ran great. It continued to start for about a day (4 or times) then just clicks again.
Here are the things I've checked and the details...
The PO said he replaced the starter less than a year ago because it wouldn't start. It worked fine for a few months and then started occasionally not starting again.
So I looked it up and figured it was just bad batt terminals or a relay. I got it home, got the battery charged up (its a bad battery, but it still started it) fiddled with the relays and terminals and make sure everything looked good. It still decided not to start or crank, even when being jumped from a running vehicle.
When I turn the key I hear the click from under the dash, I hear and can feel the interlock relay clicking (even tried jumping the #3 and #5 term to double check). I feel the clutch switch is good because if I turn the key and then depress the clutch I can hear the power move forward and (heres the twist) I can hear the starter clicking pretty strongly, but the bendex gear is not engaging and the starter is not turning. I took the starter out and had it bench tested again and it is strong.
The vehicle push starts just fine ( I coast it down my steep driveway in second and let the clutch out, works flawlessly).
At this point I am at a loss and don't know what to do besides always park on a hill.
Any help would be AWESOME, thanks in advance.