I would suggest taking the starter to AutoZone or NAPA and have it bench-tested. Also, maybe you should replace the starter relay, that's the gadget on your inner fender that your positive battery cable goes to. My relay went bad the second day I had my 64 and it, too, made a single click when I attempted to start it. Luckily I was in the parking lot of Advance Auto Parts when it crapped out.
FIrst off I would like to thank all those who offered suggestions on my query about starting my Imperial. I have finally had time to go out and try some of the suggestions. Here is what I Have done so far.
I checked the voltage at the terminals of he battery and it is 14.8 volts. I took off the battery cables and cleaned the terminals and the battery cables. Measuring the voltage from the cable to the cables I also get 14.8 volts. I measured the ohms of the cables. On the positive cable I got .1 ohm, and on the negative cable I got about 1 ohm. Is that too high on either cable? The positive cable goes from the battery to the fender, and then there is another cable that runs from there to the starter. The resistance on the second cable was 0 according to my wife (I couldn't see the ohm meter)
I did try hit hitting the starter with a rubber mallet incase it was just stuck, but that didn't make any difference.
I am definitely hearing a click (like the solenoid) when I turn the key (though it is only a single click, rather than multiple (which is what I am more used to hearing). There were a couple of times where it sounded like the engine was starting to turn. So I am assuming that the engine isn't stuck (I haven't tried turning it by hand yet).
Is it possible for the battery to have adequate voltage, but not enough current? I had planned on swapping out a different battery, but all my batteries are the front connect type, and the Imperial requires a top connect battery, plus the voltage seems reasonable.
Any additional suggestions? My wife says to include that if anyone ones a 64 4 door, this one is available cheap. It is complete (though in pieces), with lots of spare parts. Though you will have to haul it away (after all, I can't get it started), and it will need to be moved soon.
Thanks,
Mark Elliott
non starting 64 Imperial that needs to be moved.
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