OK Electrical experts

I have a starter that was rebuilt 2 years ago. also one year old battery on trickle charge all times

Jumped in the '70 Cutlass this morning 45F degrees in garage.

Turned the key to start starter , clicky clicky ......mmmmmm never had this happen before... clicky clicky mmmm..

Jumped it from another vehicle to make sure battery power was there , same thing clicky clicky mmmmm........... no difference

Jacked car up

Ignition OFF.

Got screwdriver and shorted Main red positive connection at starter to Start Swtich terminal( where purple wire goes to)

Cranked just fine. Did this multiple times.. held for about 3 secs on and off Cranked over solidly every time..

DID NOT hit starter with hammer , just shorted it..

Then tried to start by key, it started right up and running fine, did this serval times.......on and off.... working great...

What do you think??? dead spot on starter that hits now and then?? Ignition switch?? Never had this ever happen before , even when hot..

I just don't want to get stuck somewhere...

Fred

 

Bad connection at either positive cable end or both ends.
Check ground cable ends also

 

^^x2^^
Remove both the positive and negative wire terminals from that battery, starter, engine block, frame/chassis, horn relay junction box, etc. Wire brush every wire end and point-of-contact to bare metal. Examine the heat shrink/wrap ends of both the positive and negative battery terminal ends - make a small slice up the wire of each - do you see mountains of green/blue corrosive material (increasing your resistance and hindering your ability to push voltage/amperage through the battery terminal wires)? If so, buy/install new battery cables. Don't forget to thoroughly wire brush both battery terminal posts to shiny new clean metal.