I am going to trickle charge new battery tonight and see if that helps. If not I guess I have to assume the solenoid or starter is faulty. What else can be wrong?
Never assume the starter is bad-they almost never are bad.
Troubleshoot and be certain.
Since you describe a single loud click, it sounds like the solenoid is operating, but the power is not going to the starter. This could be from a weak battery, a bad cable, or bad electrical contact inside the starter solenoid.
Do a few voltage drop tests.
To test the positive side:
Touch positive voltmeter probe to positive battery post (not terminal).
Touch negative voltmeter probe to the starter solenoid post (battery cable side), press starter button and read the voltage.
Do this same test at the other solenoid post and the small terminal on the solenoid.
You should read less than .5 volt at each location.
Test the ground side:
Touch the voltmeter negative probe to the negative battery post.
Touch the positive voltmeter probe to the starter body, when pressing the starter button you should read zero voltage.
Your problem is intermittent, so of course, this test will only be accurate if it is done when the problem is occurring.
Are you not willing to do some testing with a voltmeter?
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