Auto Electronics: Starter - Solenoid, starter solenoid, zero volts

Question
2000 Lincoln LS,   Batter works good, Headlights dont dim, when I turn the key, it sometimes clicks once or no sound, under the car I hear smalls clicks around the fuse from the back where the battery/fuse box is. I checked the fuses and the Relay is hot. Could this be my starter? Thanks

Answer
Matt, hard to tell what the problem is without voltage testing. If the headlights don't dim, then the starter must not be drawing much current. You need to voltage drop both of the larger sized wires connected to the relay. Red/Orange should be battery voltage at all times, Grey wire should be battery voltage when the key is rotated to start. If this wire measures zero volts, test the control side of the relay. Diagnosis is enhanced with current readings when start is attempted. Low current levels, less than 100 amps, suggest high resistance in the circuit including bad relay, wiring or starter. Don.