Here’s a situation no car-owner wants to be in:
You turn the ignition switch on, and your car won’t start and makes a clicking noise instead.
In this article, we’ll answer that question right after we explain why your car doesn’t start. We’ll then tell you the best way to handle this issue and go over four car won’t start clicking noise FAQs.
This Article Contains:
- Why Your Car Won’t Start And Makes Clicking Noises
- What Should You Do?
- The Best Way To Deal With The Issue
- 4 Car Won’t Start Clicking Noise FAQs
Let’s dive right in.
Why Your Car Won’t Start And Makes Clicking Noises
It’s bad enough when your car doesn’t start as you turn the ignition switch on.
On top of that, if you hear a clicking noise, it’s a sign that you need to contact a mechanic ASAP because there are issues with some internal parts of your car.
But which parts?
The answer to that depends on the type of clicking noise you hear.
Generally, you’ll hear either:
- Fast-paced, multiple clicks
- A sluggish, single click
Let’s check out what these clicking sounds might indicate:
A. Multiple Clicks
When you hear a rapid clicking noise as you attempt to start the engine, it usually indicates an issue with the electrical system in your car.
Specifically, there could be a problem with the:
- Car battery — a bad battery (weak battery or dead battery) can’t supply adequate, stable power to energize the car’s starter motor.
- Battery cable — a loose battery cable can interrupt the flow of battery power to your starter motor.
- Battery terminal — a corroded positive terminal or negative terminal can hinder the transfer of electrical current from the car battery. Moreover, a blown fuse link (or fusible link) on the battery’s positive terminal can interrupt the flow of electrical current.
- Alternator — a bad alternator may not recharge the battery properly.
And due to these issues, your starter motor doesn’t receive the right amount of power to stay energized. As a result, the starter motor repeatedly activates and deactivates, producing a rapid clicking noise.
B. Single Click
If you only hear a single click as you try to start the car, the trouble could be with the starter solenoid or starter relay.
A faulty or corroded starter solenoid tends to absorb the electrical current meant for the starter motor. When the starter motor doesn’t get the power it needs, your car won’t start, and you’ll hear a single click.
Note: A bad starter may also produce a grinding noise when trying to start the car.
Additionally, a damaged or locked engine can produce a clicking noise and prevent the car from starting.
Engine lock up or damage can happen due to:
- Insufficient engine oil that causes the engine components to generate high amounts of friction and heat, causing parts of your engine to weld together.
- Lack of engine use can result in rust build-up, which in turn causes your engine to get stuck and prevents engine start.
- Extreme heat in the engine can cause the liquid fuel to vaporize while inside the fuel delivery system, resulting in low fuel pressure and engine stalling.
Alternatively, damaged spark plugs or a faulty fuel pump can be the reason for the clicking sounds. But in such a scenario, you’d be able to hear the engine crank.
Now, if you notice a clicking noise and your car doesn’t start, what should you do?
Let’s find out.
What Should You Do?
Many car owners instinctively assume something’s wrong with their car battery when they hear a clicking sound as they try to start the engine.
But as we’ve mentioned before, the exact cause of the clicking noise can vary.
The clicking noise can be due to:
- A dead battery (flat battery)
- A bad alternator
- A corroded positive or negative battery terminal
- Issues with the starter solenoid, and more
And without proper automotive training as well as experience, you may not be able to precisely diagnose the reasons why your car won’t start.
That’s not all.
It also may not be safe to replace damaged parts on your own. For example, when working with the vehicle battery, you may get exposed to dangerous battery acid fumes.
Essentially, instead of trying to guess the underlying cause, it’s best to request a mechanic’s assistance.
The mechanic would first try to start your car and listen for a rapid clicking sound or single click noise.
A. Multiple Clicks
In case of a rapid clicking noise, the mechanic would:
Step 1: Jump start your car.
The mechanic may use another vehicle, a jumper cable set, and a battery charger for this. Or they might try alternative methods for jump-starting your car, like using a jump start box or spinning the car’s alternator.
In any case, if the car starts, the issue could be with the battery. On the other hand, if the car starts and then dies, chances are that you’ve got a faulty alternator.
Step 2: Inspect the battery terminals and battery cables.
If the battery’s positive terminal or negative terminal shows corrosion (due to leaking battery acid), the mechanic will clean off the corrosion build-up with a wire brush. And if a battery cable is loosely connected, the mechanic would retighten the loose connection (or bad connection).
Step 3: Check the car battery voltage.
Generally, a fully charged battery would show a voltage reading of 12.6 Volts on the multimeter or voltmeter when the vehicle isn’t running. If the measured car battery voltage is nowhere close, you may have a drained or dead battery (flat battery).
Step 4: Recharge or replace the flat battery and try to start your car.
If the car makes a clicking sound again even after installing a new battery, the mechanic may conclude that the alternator is at fault and recommend replacing the defective alternator.
B. Single Click
In case of a single click, the mechanic would:
Step 1: Locate the starter motor inside your car.
Your starter motor is usually located near the bottom of the engine area, where your engine and the transmission connect.
Step 2: Inspect the starter.
In case the starter pinion gear is jammed, the mechanic would try to free the pinion gear. Moreover, the mechanic would check if the starter solenoid or relay of the starter motor is working as expected or if it needs to be replaced.
Step 3: Replace the bad starter motor and try to start your car.
If you’ve got a bad starter that can’t be fixed, the mechanic would replace the faulty starter and then confirm whether your car starts without making a clicking sound.
Since all of this is a lot of work, you’ll need to hire an excellent mechanic for the job.
Essentially, when hiring a mechanic, ensure that they:
- Are ASE-certified
- Use only high-quality replacement parts
- Offer you a service warranty
This brings us to a question: is there an easy way to find such mechanics?
The Best Way To Deal With The Issue
Having a car that won’t start is troubling enough.
On top of that, you shouldn’t have to be worried about looking for a reliable mechanic or towing your car to an auto repair shop.
Is there a better way to do things?
Of course!
Just reach out to RepairSmith — an affordable, hassle-free, convenient, and reliable mobile auto repair service.
Here are some of the fantastic benefits that come with using RepairSmith:
- You can book all your vehicle repairs online
- You’re guaranteed upfront and competitive pricing on all repair services
- Our ASE-certified technicians come to you for all car repairs: be it a Check Engine Light issue, locked steering wheel, windshield wiper replacement, battery corrosion, etc.
- We use only the best equipment and high-quality replacement parts for all our services
- All our car repairs come with a 12-month | 12,000-mile warranty
- RepairSmith services are available seven days of the week
Next, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions associated with your car not starting and producing a clicking sound:
4 Car Won’t Start Clicking Noise FAQs
Here are answers to four car wont start clicking noise FAQs:
1. How Does My Car Start?
When you push the Start button or turn on the ignition key of your car:
- Electrical power stored in the car battery flows to the starter solenoid or starter relay.
- The starter relay or solenoid switches on your starter motor, which converts the electrical energy from the car battery into mechanical energy.
- This mechanical energy gets transferred to your car’s flywheel, which is connected to the engine crankshaft.
- Once the crankshaft starts moving, the combustion cycle inside your engine begins, your starter motor gets disconnected, and your car starts.
2. How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Bad Battery?
The cost of replacing your dead battery (or weak battery) can vary between $90 and $400, depending on the type of new battery you’re purchasing, your vehicle, and your location. Since installing a new battery is a straightforward task, the associated labor cost could be minimal.
3. How Much Does Bad Alternator Replacement Cost?
The alternator replacement cost can vary depending on the make, model, and year of your vehicle.
In any case, you can expect to pay between $420 and $850 to purchase a new alternator. Additionally, you may incur additional labor costs for the replacement, depending on your location.
4. How Much Would It Cost To Replace A Faulty Starter?
Getting a brand new starter can cost you anywhere from $50 to $350, based on your location as well as the make and model of your vehicle. And the labor cost for replacing your bad starter can range between $150 and $1100.
As a result, your starter replacement cost could amount to $200 – $1450.
Closing Thoughts
When your car doesn’t start, and you hear a clicking noise, call up a mechanic ASAP.
A professional mechanic is well-equipped to detect if the underlying cause is a bad battery or alternator, a blown fuse or fusible link, corroded battery terminals, a faulty starter motor, etc.
And for hassle-free and affordable auto repairs, you can reach out to RepairSmith. Our certified and experienced technicians will come to your driveway for all car inspection, maintenance, service, and repair needs.