what kind of electrical gremelin would cause this?

[GrandPrixGuy]

What kind of condition are the battery cables in? Bad ends or unseen corrosion can cause similar issues.

I swapped the positive cable with a newer one but to be honest they both looked to be in good shape and when I changed the battery connectors I cut them back a couple inches till it was clean wire again.

 

[CopperNick]

Left field possibility here but what shape is the key switch in internally? If the contacts inside the switch have deteriorated or gotten nasty over the years then they may not be making full contact and all you get is the click. The voltage drop test using a good multimeter ought to help and so would an amperage draw test.



Nick

 

[g0thiac]

Left field possibility here but what shape is the key switch in internally? If the contacts inside the switch have deteriorated or gotten nasty over the years then they may not be making full contact and all you get is the click. The voltage drop test using a good multimeter ought to help and so would an amperage draw test.



Nick

Indeed. If the wiring and starter is out of question, i have heard this happening at a few junkyards ctfu 😂😭