Chrysler Repair: 3.0L engine: starter bad or weak battery?, chrysler lebaron, jumper cables

Question
I have a 1994 Chrysler LeBaron. My girlfriend drives this car normally and she is in no way a mechanic so she can't explain to me what happened. I did once notice that when the car went to start it seemed like the starter was struggling to start the engine. I wanted to remove it to get it tested but I don't even know where to begin. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. PS I did replace the terminals on the battery and now the solenoid clicks where it didn't before I replaced them.

Answer
Hi Derrick,
My suggestion would be to look at the battery situation first. What is the voltage on it, what is the state of charge, how old is it compared to its warranty life. A degraded battery is going to make the starter motor sound like it is struggling. You can measure the voltage with a simple volt-ohm meter, you can measure the charge with a battery test hygrometer to test the specific gravity (density) of the battery acid (caution). You could try jumping to the battery with jumper cables from a car with a good battery and see what the starter then sounds like. Jump + to +, and - of the good battery to shiny chassis or bolt on the engine of the LeBaron. If still sounds weak/not at all then consider replacing it.
If you decide the battery is charged and good, then the starter is located on the underside of the engine, the side of the engine that is closer to the front of the car, and it is positioned on the engine side of the seam between the engine and the transmission. You will see it under the oil filter.
It is held in place by 3 bolts that pass through the flange at that interface. Always disconnect the - post of the battery before touching any electrical wires, the fat red one is connected directly to the battery and so you don't want the battery connected when you handle the wires at the starter. I would prefer to get my starter rebuilt at a shop that does that rather than by one from a parts store. You know it history that way.
But start with the battery.
Roland