HELP, car wont start, need advice

[meatish]

Here are the symptoms:
1989 SOHC KA
I turned on the car this morning, accessories came on, i turned it to starter position, I heard the starter engage, and do maybe a quarter turn, then nothing. No power, the accessories and dash went black, no power at all.
I came back tonight, jumped the car. It had power, and all the accessories and lights came back on. When I turned the key to the starter position, it didnt even turn, just clicked and everything powered off again. I jumped it and power came on, but turned to starter and everything went off again.

What is the problem? Is the starter grounding out on something? If you have any say in the matter let me know, I checked my fuses and they seemed fine, the battery definitely has power. Let me know what you think, please pm me if you know what is wrong im trying to get this taken care of asap.

[NemeGuero]

The battery is dead. It might have enough power to turn on the lights, but not enough to crank the starter.

Get a multi-meter and read the voltage across the battery terminals.

If it's below ~11.8 you need a new battery. If not, replace your starter.

[meatish]

But would that explain why everything goes blank when I activate the starter? Thanks for the advice, i'll check that out today.

[NemeGuero]

Yes it would. The starter drains whatever juice is left on the battery to try to crank the engine. This takes away all the power from the electronics.

[meatish]

Hmm the battery was completely dead.. but i'm still going to replace the starter solenoid just to be safe..
i'll post an update tomorrow, thanks for the help.

[NemeGuero]

No problem. Glad you got the issue resolved.

[180sExy]

i have a question i just put a new starter in on my 240hatch an it was workin like a champ of a couple of months. the motor has alot of miles on it but it has been working really well an has not really givin me any problems till now. My car wont start. I'm gettin power to everything all my gauges are workin an lights but when i turn the key al i hear is this rapid "clicking" noise an nothing. The clicking noise will be fast at first but then dies down. Anyone got any ideas what the prob can be.

[NemeGuero]

Clicking sounds like the relay.

Does your starter crank? Are you getting 12V at the battery terminals?

Check your wiring to your starter. Sounds like you could have a loose wire.