03 V6 vue. Starter clicks. Battery charger says 1-2amp draw. Even after 2+ hrs on charger just click. Battery was 12.6v after 2-3 hrs sitting. Got it started and vom says 14.5v idling. Went to store. It clicked and started, hmm. Next day it started ok. Went to store. No start. Aaa came and jump pack was a no go. Had it towed home. Still clicks only. I’m thinking starter. Well, 21yr old starter. Owned for 14 yrs so I’m thinking it original.

 

When you get only the click, place a pipe or similar up against the starter and whack the pipe with a hammer. And try to start the vehicle with pipe out of the way. If the Bendix in the starter is not moving properly, the whack should free it up and allow the starter gear to move all the way to the flywheel to start the vehicle. If this seems to work as a fix, then indeed the starter is likely bad.

You can always pull the starter and have it tested for free at AutoZone or similar

 

You only want to do this job once. The starter is buried on the firewall side of the engine. It is going to be a pain to change.

 

 

Progress.

 

Put in new starter. $40. Figured out put bolt in starter first then hook up power cable. Otherwise cable covers bolt. Starts fine now

 

Excellent

 

14 years for the original was pretty good.

 

Rockauto had a discounted one for $41. Found a seller on FB who had one after customer car died. I’m doing heads on an equinox too so I had to do starter in driveway. Sunny and 50f. Might get flurries by Thursday.

 

Looks like the gods are smiling on you. You got it done just in time. Have fun with that equinox.