After 130,000 happy miles, turning the ignition key only resulted in a "klick" from the starter solenoid. Battery voltage at this time remained at 12.5 Volt! The same happens after adding a charger to the battery: it's not a voltage problem. My question: can the starter solenoid be removed from the top, after "bending" the 2 coolant hoses out of the way, for cleaning the contacts or, if necessary replacing it?

 

Removing the two bolts to the engine would be quickest and best.

 

what happens if you use another car to jump start?
just a charger isnt enough amps to overcome resistance in bad wires- bad ground wire
12.5 is a low battery! I know it says 12v but its really 13.5

ck that out before proceeding to starter issues

any chance you are driving a 99 ?? with its known ignition switch failure problem

 

Clean & tighten both batt. cables, both ends.
Recharge then load test the battery. Does it have filler caps? If so chk. that plates are covered.
Report back.

 

If you're getting that good solid CLICK from the starter, it probably needs a starter. Have someone try to crank it while you check voltage at the big terminal on the starter. A test light is fine as well. If you've got power at the big terminal, touch the test light or voltmeter to the starter housing. 0 volts is what you want to see on the housing. If you've got any significant voltage at the starter housing, you've got a ground problem. These tests are performed with the key in the crank position.

 

12.5 is not a low battery. Full charge is 12.6v, 75% is 12.45, 50% is 12.3, etc. 13.5v would be a reasonable charging voltage, not open cell voltage.

 

Doh! I keep thinking about the bike specs~ confusing my Honda products

but I would still see what the boost from a running vehicle does
if it starts, likely battery or wire issue

If it doesnt, remove the starter and take to parts store for testing- parts replacement

 

I have the same problem, they told me to replace the starter which is I want to do it myself, anyone have any idea how to change it and is it hard work?. Thanks

 

^Not hard to do at all.
Remove negative battery cable from battery.
Remove connections from the starter.
I believe its just two or three bolts to take it out.

 

i had that problem on 2 different cars (both over 10 years old one of which still has the original starter ) i added a 14 gauge wire from one of the starter bolts straight to the negative terminal and BAM starts every time

you can try grounding the starter with jumper cables see if that helps