My electric start isn't working right, there is a clicking that comes from the starter relay when the start pushbutton is pressed.

If I bypass the relay with heavy guage wire it starts fine.

I disconnected the incoming hot lead and the output to the started and tried it and it energizes fine, without the on/off clicking.

Is there some reason it won't work with the power trying to flow through it from the battery (new and properly charged) to the starter?

I also cleaned all the connections with no improvement.

 

I don't know what to blame that on other than the solenoid itself. The contacts inside it might be pitted, dirty, or worn out. That's all I can think of.

 

I agree. If the starter works fine when you bypass the soleniod...it's probably the solenoid.