Starters Are Starters?

Needing to replace starter on 73 CJ5 - 232. Battery is good - cables are fine. Just makes one click when you turn the key. Give it a push, pop the clutch it will go - once you turn it off -won't restart.

Most starters I'm seeing are remanufactured. I'm a novice Jeep mechanic.. but understand starters are easy to replace. Any pros/cons to remanufactured vs. new or brands I should avoid/consider? Thanks

 

Have you tried jumping the solenoid (in neutral!) to be sure the starter is the issue?

 

Do you have the '73 TSM? It will have a flow chart for starter diagnosis. PSA - Which Manual Should I Buy?

Agree with Pete, that's the first thing I'd try. Have you had the battery load tested? Did you clean the battery posts and cables? If you jump from the "S" terminal on the solenoid to the battery, the starter motor should run.

It's a SMP SS581. STANDARD MOTOR PRODUCTS SS581 Starter Solenoid | RockAuto
Very common failure.

 

What those two guys above said. Do a little more trouble shooting before firing the parts cannon.

 

With the solid previous advise in mind, I’ve had fair luck with the reman starters. And I’m very hard on starters, occasionally starting in 4 low on the trail. I like the Napa lifetime warranty variety.