My starter started randomly not working. Before I go under the hood I just have a little question : Is it normal that all lights (headlights, check engine light, battery lights, dimmer light, etc) shut down during cranking or not. Never paid close look to it and it now lefts me wondering.

 

When an electrical motor starts, it draws high current. Dimming is expected. But when a motor stalls, it draws much higher current. I wonder if the starter motor is going bad and stalls often, causing blackout. My best guess.

 

Not a very good description lol. Well, -it's not normal to start with the headlights on. Rather, turn them on after it starts. That should be in your owners manual. Yes to the other.

Regardless, I would check the small red wire at the starter itself after inspecting for the obvious under the hood. The large cable at the starter as well, they can develop pin holes over time and corrode from the inside out.

I suppose you checked the battery out, it's good correct?

 

The battery isnt "good" but it happened after a full charge. Tried to make some tests yesterday but couldnt have any no starts. Cranks at full speed.

I wanted to see if voltage dropped like crazy when having a no start or if just "didnt work" to check if there was a short

 

I am finding Jbrew's reply makes more sense than mine. Do what he suggests.

 

yes, that's normal - all energy goes to the starter when starting

do you get a click when the starter doesn't spin?

 

i get a click like if all accessories relays shut off but not the big "clack" like sound of a solenoid I heard in the past on other cars the starter broke but the solenoid still worked. Im pretty sure its the.solenoid and would be happier if it was that the entire starter because moneys an issue right now...

 

Take a screw driver and jump the terminals on the starter relay on the firewall, if it cranks it's the relay, if it don't, probably the starter. Considering that all connections and cables are good working order of course.

 

Right, see if you can start from the solenoid, key on.

 

When I had your exact issue I found the problem to be heavy corrosion hidden in the battery cables. They looked okay for being old. But after figuring it out I found heavy corrosion hidden under the wire insulation. The corrosion acted as large resistance in the circuit. The voltage would read fine until put under the starter load. New battery cables was permanent fix.