Starter motor woes

First thing to try is tapping the starter with hammer etc
Tap toward the front because that is where the brushes are
This will jar the brushes into place in the housing as they often get jammed
Tap tap not bash bash
If this works remove starter and service

Next thing

Make sure car is in park (auto) or out of gear (manual)
Turn ignition on.
Use screw driver to bridge between starter switch pin and main terminal
If starter spins, but does not throw in, bridge across other terminal
If starter throws in and spins engine, then you have an old wiring problem, easiest fixed by installing a relay on the starter.
otherwise, remove starter and service.
Often only requires clean up and brushes

 

If I'm understanding what you are saying correctly it sounds like the solenoid is not pulling in far enough to complete the circuit even with the new one. Was it a new one by the way or a secondhand one?. Could be caused by a bad earth or if the replacement solenoid was not new then worn contacts within the solenoid. Alternatively as ramB said, the voltage to the solenoid terminal is dropping due to high resistance somewhere along the line and can be easily fixed by inserting a relay close to the starter.

 

As a first step it’s always good idea to check the battery voltage. It’s easy to over look this simple check if the battery still has the juice to light up the dash but not enough to get the starter turning the engine, since if the battery is low, the starter may not work and you get a click click click sound.

 

The throw gear isn't working

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct...aw2zUvc5hr99hfGufTYC059F&ust=1568691894332796

 

if you mean you put 12 volts onto the bottom terminal and the starter freewheeled that's normal, if the battery wasn't flat I guess you have the starter out by now. easier to test at the starter relay?

 

Your ignition has to be on too if you want it to start.