Its not the battery (lights and radio still work) I think it is the starter solenoid and heres why I think that

I replaced this cable (black one) http://img147.imageshack.us/i/img0526tl.jpg/ http://img36.imageshack.us/i/img0524nm.jpg/ it connects to the solenoid (that is what that is right?) and to the engine on the passenger side (http://img29.imageshack.us/i/img0527b.jpg/ its kinda hard to see)

Basically I'm at a loss for why the car wont start, when I turn the key it clicks once and thats it...I'm thinking the solenoid needs replacing any thing else it could be?

 

It could be the starter motor or the solenoid. The solenoid is cheap enough to just replace as a first step, but to check it you can use a voltmeter or test light on the large terminal that has the cable that goes down to the starter. When the key is in the start position there should be voltage on that terminal. Make sure you are testing the correct terminal. The other large terminal connects to the battery and should have voltage even when the key is off.

If you have very low voltage in the above test, remove the cable going down to the starter and repeat the test. If the voltage is up to 12 v or so with the starter cable removed, but low with it connected it would indicate a bad starter. Or if there is full voltage with the key in the start position and the starter don't turn the engine over, it would indicate a bad starter. If there is still no voltage with the starter cable removed it would indicate a bad solenoid.

 

If the lights work, but all you get is a click when you turn the key, it could be several things. Start with checking your Batt terminals. If one is loose, it will produce the same symptom. After that, check the solenoid then the coil.

CP

 

Ok well we replaced the solenoid and then the car would not even clink. So my friend (mechanic) suggested we push it into the drive and jump it. So we hook it up and go to start and then the starter starts smoking. It looks like the starter may have shorted out and took the new solenoid out with it....

Guess we know what Im doing next weekend

 

if the only thing you did was to replace that big black cable (the black one going to the starter) and since you have the problems I bet 2$ you have the black cable touching the starter housing.

The starter itself has a post where the cable is bolted on to. when the cables connector is quite big and you screw it down the connector will touch the housing of the starter. this way you're grounding out battery+ and that will end in smoke and no start
check on that first