Why Is My Car Clicking and Not Starting?

Trying to start your car but hearing only a clicking sound is surely a bad thing, especially when you are in a hurry to somewhere important. If you are unsure about the cause of this issue, we are here to help you determine the root of the problem and resolve it.

Single Click vs Rapid Clicking

When you turn the car key clockwise in the ignition, you might hear a particular sound coming from under the wheel or from under the hood. These clicks can help you get closer to the cause of your problem. Depending on the frequency of clicks, there are 2 main possibilities you can start investigating - rapid clicks or a single click.

Series of Rapid Clicks

When you hear a series of rapid clicking sounds coming from your car, it often indicates an electrical problem. In simpler terms, this noise usually means that the starter motor does not receive enough electrical power to start the engine.

The starter motor operates by drawing significant current from the vehicle’s battery, typically in the range of 100 to 200 amps. When you turn the ignition key, the ignition switch sends a signal to engage the starter solenoid, which connects the battery to the starter motor.

If you experience this issue, it’s a good idea to check your battery first to see if it’s charged or if it needs to be replaced. Additionally, make sure all connections are secure and free from corrosion.

Single Click When Trying To Start

If you hear just one click when you try to start your car, it could indicate an issue on the mechanical side of the starter. Unfortunately, a single click often requires professional assistance to fix.

A starter is responsible for turning the engine on when you start your car. When you turn the key, an electrical signal activates the starter, but if there's a mechanical failure like a stuck gear or damaged internal components it may just produce a single click.

Common Reasons Your Car Clicks But Won’t Start

Regardless of the sound you hear when trying to start your car, we have gathered some common reasons experts have found to be the root of the problem. Before going to the service and spending money on a repair, we highly advise you to check what you can do to resolve the issue.

However, if you are unsure about your car-related competencies, it is always a good idea to let experts do their job instead of getting yourself injured by auto battery current or other dangerous components you can find under the hood of your vehicle.

Dead Battery

If the battery voltage is insufficient due to a low charge, aging, or internal resistance leading to a series of rapid clicks as the starter attempts to engage without sufficient power. This is often accompanied by a voltage drop that can also affect other electrical components in the vehicle. In order to determine whether the dead battery is the cause of your problem you can check its voltage out using a automotive multimeter.

This happens when you forget to turn off the electrical functions of your car when it is parked, such as the headlights, the radio, or even the heated seats.

Corroded Battery Terminals

Battery terminals are the 2 poles from where the electrical current goes to the starter. Corroded terminals have low conductivity and might not be able to deliver the appropriate voltage your car needs to start. Using a strong contact cleaner is a good idea and might save you a couple hundred bucks.

Wrongly sealed hoods and prolonged exposure to humidity are the 2 main things that lead to corroded battery terminals.

Faulty Starter

The starter is the electrical component that rotates your engine initially, in order to make it spin. This piece is essential for any car and should be replaced as soon as possible if it malfunctions. It is a good idea to go to a repair shop and ask for assistance instead of changing it yourself, as this procedure might take quite a couple of hours and some specialized tools.

Loose Wiring

Loose wiring (red & black wires from the battery to the alternator/starter) can even burn your starter. You can easily check the wiring by looking at the battery terminals and the connectors on your starter. If anything seems loose, disconnect the battery, wire it securely, connect the battery, and try again.

Malfunctioning Alternator

A malfunctioning alternator is probably the most expensive cause of your car not starting up but making a clicking sound. This can usually be changed only at repair shops and will get a couple hundred bucks out of your pocket for an OEM (original manufacturer) one.