Chrysler Repair: 1998 Dodge Intrepid: click only from starter motor following battery change, solenoid switch, ground clamp

Question
Hello Roland, I have replaced the battery on my Intrepid. As i was replacing the
battery the car fell off the jack onto the ground. I got if off the ground and put
the wheel back on. When i tried to start it all i got was a single click from the
starter and nothing else. Can You please help me? Thanx

Answer
Hi Raymond,
I would suggest re-checking both the battery clamps and the remote ground point from the - clamp along its wire to the attachment point near the power distribution box under the hood. The click, assuming it is the starter motor solenoid switch, say that the electrical connections to the motor are OK but the connections for the current to the motor and the return path to ground (- clamp of the battery) are not conducting the current well enough to give a full starting voltage to the starter motor. It is also possible that the replacement battery is not fully charged or has a poor internal connection, so check the voltage across the battery when a helper tries the starter. It should be about 12.6 at rest and shouldn't drop to far below 9V when you try the starter.
Roland