Starter to blame?
 

Hey guys, wondering if anyone else has had this specific issue, I know to search for car starting issues but this seems different than others have had...

Its very intermittent and my usually competent local dealer has yet to identify but its happening more frequently lately so I want to try to fix it for good. I drive my car almost daily and it has happened about 10x since December I would estimate. Can happen hot or cold, so not sure that is a factor but when I go to start the car, everything turns on (instruments, accessory, radio etc) but it sounds like the starter just clicks once and the engine doesn't do anything. Doesn't crank at all. After a few tries or sometimes if I wait a few hours or a day I'll try again and it'll start right up. Once the car starts there are no other symptoms or performance issues and it will start many times afterwards like normal before popping up again. Mazda checked the starting/charging system/battery last time I was in for routine service and found no issues and since it doesn't happen all the time it was never duplicated. Based on that feedback and the condition of the components below I think maybe the starter solenoid might be going bad? Does the 'click' noise confirm this?

spark plugs about a year old, 9k miles
ignition coils about 7 months old, 5k miles
battery less than 2 years old, 21k miles
starter is the 'updated' version installed with new engine core
engine core itself more than 2 years old, 33k miles

thanks for the help!

The click usually means the starter isn't getting enough current to turn over. Sometimes this is due to a bad battery, but if it fires up after some waiting, then it's not that. Check the wiring between the starter and the battery, and the grounding points. If they're loose/dirty/corroded, clean them up.

will I be able to easily trace all the grounding points based on wiring coming from the battery? Was searching around the forum and noticed that might be the cause but didn't see any details on how to properly maintain them. Might need to have the battery terminal connections refreshed as well.

Start with the ones close to the battery, those are the important ones. You may need to take out a few pieces (like the battery) to get to them.

The main thing is to make sure they're clean and bare metal on bare metal.

Turn on headlights and attempt a start.

If the 'click' is accompanied by massive dimming of the headlights/interior lights, you have a bad connection and the starter isn't getting enough power to crank.

If you get a click and the lights are still bright, it's the starter - most likely worn out brushes.

....but as usual, my money's on the battery terminals.


.

.......and THEN?

I'll get my car back from the body shop this week, I'll post when I get the starting issue resolved based on the comments, thanks! Hopefully without too much added cost.