Expert: Kevin Pilotte - 8/24/2004

Question
My husband changed the starter in January. Since then I have been having trouble starting it. It clicks but does not connect most of the time. Sometimes it does start with no problem, but it has left me stranded a couple of times. My husband put a wire on it so I could start it by touching the battery post. This does not always start it. It gets real hot and I cant touch it aafter a period of time trying to get it to connect. Can you help? My husband is hunting for the schematics for the relay something.  

Answer
I am not familiar with an AMC Summit mini van. AMC was not in business in 1993. I can help with AMC vehicles, but I know nothing about Summits. I beleive they are made by Mitsubishi.
HOWEVER...I will give you my 2 cents worth. Your vehicle probably has a starter made by Denso. If so, the two brass contacts inside wear out easily. This creates the condition you describe of "clicking" when trying to start. If your husband replaced the starter with a used one or an aftermarket "rebuilt" starter...replace it. OR the contacts are available through retailers, i.e. NAPA, etc. If you or your husband are mechanically inclined, you can replace the two contacts. This will probably fix your vehicle.
I hope the simple things like cleaning the battery terminals and having good battery cables have already been done.