Your car is not starting, and you hear a clicking sound when you try to turn on the ignition. This problem can be diagnosed and troubleshooted on your own.
Here is something that you probably need to think of. The probable causes as to why your car won’t start could be the sounds that you hear whenever you try to turn the ignition.
In every scenario, the clicking sound can be a single click, sharp clicking, or silence when you try to turn the ignition, all of which happen for the first time. Here are the most common causes of your car not starting due to a clicking noise in your vehicle.
My Car Clicks But Won’t Start—What Does it Mean?
To properly understand the clicking sound, you need to first understand how modern starting systems operate. When you turn the ignition key or press the button to start the engine, a control module, or in some cases, an ignition switch powers the starter relay.
Further down the electrical circuit, there is a battery, starter relay, and solenoid. Electricity is transferred from the battery, through the starter relay, and finally ends up at the solenoid.
Most vehicles today come equipped with a starter solenoid, which is placed directly above the starter. Upon activation of the solenoid, a plunger is moved, which in turn leads to the starter motor’s pinion gear engaging with the engine’s flywheel or flexplate.
While this occurs, the starter motor winds the engine to increase its speed for ignition, the plunger moves a disc to compress a contact set which permits battery current to enter the solenoid. Hence, the battery allows current to flow through the solenoid to the starter.
So what does it mean if your car clicks but won’t start? Hearing a click, and nothing else, while trying to start your vehicle signifies that the starter solenoid or relay contacts are working, but the starter is not cranking the engine. Also, the sound can be rapid chattering or just one or two clicks.
Rapid Clicking vs Single Click: When Trying to Start a Car
The clicking sounds your vehicle makes can indicate if the car has an electrical malfunction. Do you notice frequent clicking or just a single click?
Rapid Clicking: You Could Have an Electrical Problem
When trying to ignite the vehicle’s engine and there is a rapid clicking sound coming from beneath the hood, it may be the outcome of several issues. While the battery may be dead, it is also possible that the alternator, which is responsible for charging the battery, is defective as well.
In the click-source context, the starter is a small motor, which is responsible for bringing the engine to the expected rotational speed. If the motor clicks repeatedly without spinning the engine, then there isn’t enough power flowing through the battery, in which case the starter gets supercharged, which is why it clicks rather than spins.
Single Click: You Could Have a Starter Problem
Unlike an electrical problem, an issue with the starter or starter relay (a switch-like device that transmits power to the starter) will trigger a single loud clicking sound rather than rapid clicking sounds.
That may also be caused by a battery that’s dead, but the battery is so drained that it can’t produce sufficient energy for a click.
If your vehicle is functional after a jumpstart, it is advisable to drive to the nearest repair shop for diagnosis. However, if the engine does not turn over even with a jumpstart, you will likely need to have the vehicle towed to a technician’s workshop for further diagnosis.
4 Common Reasons Your Car Clicks But Won’t Start
There are a few other issues that may click in your car but not start the engine. The four most common problems with your vehicle are to help get your car back on the road sooner.
- Dead or Dying Battery
- Corroded or Loose Battery Terminals
- Malfunctioning Alternator
- Faulty Starter
#1. Dead or Dying Battery.
A drained or dead battery can cause the vehicle to make a rapid clicking noise during startup.
Remember to turn off your headlights and interior lights, or set them to auto if your car has the feature, so the battery is not drained when you park your car. Also, keep jumper cables in your trunk for any eventualities.
The process could be streamlined with the aid of a reliable roommate or neighbor who is willing to assist with a jump start on the car. Additionally, if you know how to use one, keeping a portable jump starter in your trunk could offer you newfound independence for solo trips.
Even if the battery can run after a jump start, it must be noted that there could be problems related to the clicking sound that may require further investigation. In such cases, seeking assistance from a professional might be the ideal alternative.
Regular checkups during the routine servicing period of the vehicle should be prescribed. In addition, the car battery functionality examination is a fundamental component of routine vehicle checks if the car is likely to be exposed to extreme temperatures.
Car batteries are subjected to tests that are usually free at many auto parts stores. These tests can determine if the battery is responsible for the clicking sound and might be an indicator of needing a new one.
Is there a warranty that covers the battery? If yes, consider checking the sticker on the battery for its warranty information. Be sure to track how long the warranty lasts, what it covers, and what is needed to maintain it, so it’s not rendered void.
#2. Corrosion, cables, and connectors.
The sound of clicking can, in some way, suggest problems with the battery because of the battery’s connections, even if the battery is properly charged.
Sometimes, the clamps for the battery cables may become loose due to driving vibrations, or corrosion may form at the battery terminals.
These two issues could result in unintentional rough contact with the battery, preventing the vehicle from starting (and potentially damaging the vehicle when starting or driving is attempted).
If a certified specialist diagnoses this issue, he or she can ensure that vehicle connections are indeed secure, which could facilitate a quick return to the road.
#3. Alternator
In case the rest of the components are in good condition and the battery connections are also good, and the rapid clicking noise is still annoying you, the culprit may be a bad alternator. This component is considered the charging system of the battery as well as the other electrical parts of your car.
When the alternator is performing poorly or is completely defective, it will not be able to provide adequate support to the battery.
Consider taking your car’s alternator to a professional for periodic testing to ensure it is functioning optimally. Prolonged procrastination coupled with a lack of consistent check-ups can lead to plunging levels of your car’s battery power.
#4. Starter motor
The battery might not be the sole component responsible for the problem. If, when you start your car, you hear a single loud click instead of rapid clicking, which is a good indication that the problem is something else entirely, the starter motor is likely the problem.
The motor, along with the starter solenoid, is responsible for cranking the engine and getting it going. The click might represent problems with the starter relay that is failing to send an adequate amount of current through the battery to the motor, due to a defective starter relay.