So I was running some errands today and went to the mall, came back out and my car wouldn't start, at all. Now I have an Optima battery that I've had for about a year and a half, never had any issues with it, never ran it low, so I don't think that is the issue. I don't believe it to be the alternator as everything worked just fine electrically when I stopped the car (headlights weren't dim, stereo/subs cranked without issue). I think it's the starter solenoid, when I go to start the car it just gives one click and then is completely and utterly dead, not even the security light blinks. If I disconnect and reconnect the battery terminals the light starts blinking again and I can get some more 'click' when I try to start it. Tried jumping it first, nadda. Just looking for some feedback, I hope it isn't the starter solenoid just to save myself from that hell of changing it.

Also relevant, I replaced my starter with a JDM unit from Andreas Miko about the same time I got my Optima battery, now in order to use the JDM units you have to snip and crimp a plug off your USDM unit, this crimped wire may also be my downfall.

The car is spending the night at the mall until I can tow it home in the morning.

Some how i would suspect the starter motor. I think what you are hearing is the solenoid closing but the starter does not turn. First thing i would do is knock on the starter with a hammer, tire iron, or something metal to see if that knocks it free. If still no go then check the ground to the starter, better yet replace it with some new 4awg to the frame.

If you need any help tomorrow give me a call.

I'll try that tomorrow, I was going to do that earlier but I didn't have a pry bar or anything with that would reach it.

It sounds like a junk battery, if it was the solenoid, it wouldnt drain the power like that. Try swaping a battery in it if you can.

it might be the security system. my car did something like that once i had to unlock the door and try it again..... thats when i found out that my horn didnt work lol. just a thought.

Bad battery ground. FAIL

thats what it was was, the battery ground?

yes thats what it was.

Mine was doing the same thing last fall intermittently.
Wiggled connections and it would start.
I disconnected the battery terminals and ground wire to body and to tstat housing, cleaned them up really good, then put dielectric grease all over them to prevent corrosion.
Haven't had a problem since.
I used a 10 lb. Hawker battery (like 190cca) through many winters, still started at -10 F.

^ Thats my solution as well.

I was gonna say your optima should be fine. I have had my yellow top for like 9 or 10 years and it has been in many of my cars with no issues, its in the nx right now.

I had a similar problem but it was my ignitor chip. This was on a highport motor though so its a bit different from a b14.

Had a similar problem on my old B13. It ended up being my doom light switch at the door.