[seventy7sevens]

i just bought a 1977 mustang and i have this one problem with it. Sometimes my car doesnt start for some reason. i try to start it and it makes a sort of clicking noise comming for the celenoid (or however you spell it)i replaced it and it still does it. if i jump my battery it works or sometimes when i just leave it for awhile it eventually starts. any ideas of what i could do?

[tbird]

The solenoid will click like that if it does not have enough voltage to it. There could be several reasons for this: bad battery with low voltage,poor connections at the battery cables where thy attach to the battery or solenoid, poor ground at the battery or from the engine to the frame, or cables that have too much internal resistance. Dont use cables with those crappy bolt on repair ends, they always corrode and lead to problems.

[seventy7sevens]

what size of battery do you suggest?

[76mustangghia]

Hey,
My 76 did the same thing as youre describing, and its a lack of power to the starter. The solenoid is engaging, but the starter doesnt have enough power to churn the engine. Heres what could be the problem w/ your battery.
1. Not enough CA (cranking amps), get a more powerful one.
2. Dirty or loose battery connections, wire brush/ clean the connections and make them tiiiight.
3. If your batter is like my old one, it will hold charge, but the second you try to start it, it dies. Check this by having a door open and the overhead light will be on, it should be bright. Then try to start the engine with the door open and if it goes black and clicks, you need a new battery.
4. Silly things, dont get my wrong, this fooled me too . If its an automatic, it wont start ing gear and sometimes i have to hold the brake pedal on mine, but most likely thats not the case.
Enjoy