Is your starter dead when both terminals have 12v when the key is on 'start' and the starter isnt doing anything (no click, no nothing)?

The little terminal is the one you are really worried about testing. Should be hot in start and no power otherwise. Yes, if you have power to it and no start your starter is bad. Try hitting it with a hammer while someone else holds the key in start position. If it starts then it is bad.

The terminal closest to the firewall (the one with the smaller gauge wire) is cold until the key is hit. The other terminal (closest to the trunk, 2 or 0 gauge wire) is constantly hot. When you hit the key the terminal closest to the firewall also becomes hot but nothing happens.

If U understand you correctly, the starter is dead so there is no need to wack it or the solonoid with a hammer

quote Originally posted by gumert: If U understand you correctly, the starter is dead so there is no need to wack it or the solonoid with a hammer

Well, yea. But there is something that just feels good when you hit it with a hammer and it starts working.

Are you old enough to remember slapping the TV set on the side to get the picture back?

quote Originally posted by Electrathon: Are you old enough to remember slapping the TV set on the side to get the picture back?

Or have you ever whacked the side of your monitor

Something isn't happy in there. Sometimes a smart rap can jar it enough to work. I'd start looking for a replacement, even if it does come back to life.

Don't hit the solenoid. They tend to break. Hit it on the body of the starter with someone turning the key to the start position. This assumes that you have voltage on the small wire with the key in start position. If hitting it gets no response then consider replacing just he solenoid. It should click even if the starter itself is bad and it's much cheaper than a starter. Good luck and peace.

Phil

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I am always available to help those that need help. Since my back injury, I cannot work on many of the aspects of the cars, but I can offer the knowledge of my 27 years as a GM technician. Bring the questions on................!

quote Originally posted by FieroBUZZ: Or have you ever whacked the side of your monitor

I know better since I'm quite the geek at heart - I kick my tower since it's not the monitor’s fault the computer is being silly

As for what I ended up doing: I pulled the starter and replaced it with another reman but this time from NAPA - not car parts. I've had good luck with them in the past (on other cars). I didn't have the time do worry about replacing the solenoid since I woke up around 11 and needed to drive to work by 2 (breakfast, work on car, shower, lunch, go). Bolted it in, hit key, boom. Everything worked, as it should.

It should be noted: the old starter (the car parts reman one) was only about 4 months/5k miles old. Beware!