Q&A

 Journeyman

It sounds like you are developing a short to power. More than likely in the starter. It is possible you moved the right wire to stop the short when you hit the starter with a hammer. Before you replace the starter check over the wires for the starting system. Start at the battery and move toward the starter. here is a general diagram of a starting system diagram. http://tinyurl.com/6gsb3gp It may not be specific to your vehicle but all vehicle have this in some design or another. You dont want to replace the starter if a wire repair is all you need.