not the starter apparently

[TrixTeR]

lately my car doesn't always start, i'll turn the key and only hear a clicking noise. I figured the solinoid went bad in the starter so i replaced that today (oh my god I feel sorry for any mechanic that has to replace starters on camaros), but that didn't fix anything. Any other areas i should be looking at? Battery? alternator?

[fenderman]

I think that the connections at the battery should be inspected. It sounds like one is loose or dirty. Check along the length of both cables and make sure all connection points are tight and clean. Next have the battery load tested to see if it may not be delivering the current to your starter under load.

Bad batteries usually die and stay dead... they don't just randomly crank a car.

Alternators generally won't cause a no start situation unless they haven't been charging the battery enough and the battery is out of juice when you go to crank the car. Even then, a light should clue you in to an undercharging alternator.

For the symptoms you describe, it sounds like a bad connection somewhere, so check those first. To check the alternator, take a digital multimeter and test the battery when the car is running. You should get in the neighborhood of 13.5 volts if the alternator is charging properly. For the battery, have it load tested by someone with the proper equipment. That's all I can think of.

[BillyCobin]

I am willing to bet your starter is bad.

The clicking noise you hear IS the solenoid working, so hang on to the one you just took off because it is probably still good.

Since when you replaced the solenoid you would have had to retighten the connections at the starter, I don't think it is electrical. Although you should check at the battery.

That said, I think it is your starter. Starters will freeze up and not want to move, give it a little time, or a couple of hits from a hammer, and the car will start right up. One of these times it will freeze for good, and no matter what you do, you will not be able to start it. So as soon as you get the money and the time I would replace it.

[Seppo Kaitainen]

Not to be a party pooper, but when my battery went it would start 2/3s of the time. Take it to Advanced Auto or someplace. They'll test it for free.