Car won’t start. One click

[massimofinance]

Older Italian car. Fiat. New battery. I turn the key. Hear one click from the engine compartment. Then nothing. If I fiddle with the ground the power comes back till I try to start it again then one click and turn nothing. Thanks for any advice.

 

[GA_Boater]

Call Tony.

If this isn't a text book case of bad ground(s), then I ever heard of a bad ground connection, even with a new battery. Start cleaning all connections until you get the stamp of approval from your MIL.

 

[Sprig]

if this isn't a text book case of bad ground(s), then I ever heard of a bad ground connection, even with a new battery. Start cleaning all connections until you get the stamp of approval from your MIL.

This^^^^. After cleaning all the connections make sure the connections are tight. Especially the battery terminal connections.

 

[ezbtr]

Call Tony.

If this isn't a text book case of bad ground(s), then I ever heard of a bad ground connection, even with a new battery. Start cleaning all connections until you get the stamp of approval from your MIL.

yup, you stole my words

 

[crazy charlie]

A friend had an older Alpha romeo with exact issue.It was traced to a rusty ground.Grind off all rust on any grounds .All fresh surfaces and reattach and apply a coating of dielectric grease between all freshly cleaned surfaces..Charlie

 

[poconojoe]

Agree. Sounds like a bad ground.
Disconnect and clean all connections like shiny new. Positive and negative.
Smear all surfaces with di-electric grease or what I use...Kopr-Shield made by T&B, then reassemble.

Also check the condition of the battery cables. Corrosion can migrate from the battery posts through the copper, under the insulation.
Take a good look near the ends of the cables. See if they look bulged, or the insulation looks melted.

 

[Scott Danforth]

after all the connections are clean, shiny and your MIL can eat off them...... then seal them with marine electrical varnish

 

[DeepCMark58A]

A Fiat, a refugee from a junkyard. Look at the bright side with the car not running the transmission won't fail.