There are myriad problems that could prevent a car from starting. The one particular problem that grabbed our attention is the one identified with a clicking noise. You might have faced this problem when you try to turn your car on; it won’t start but is making a clicking noise. This problem is mostly caused because of issues with the battery or the connections linking to the battery. Here we have mentioned the root causes that might be causing the problem.
What Makes The Clicking Noise in Vehicle?
When you turn on your car, the starter motor engages, and the starter engine’s pinion gear rotates the crankshaft through the starting ring gear.
If the starter motor does not have enough power to spin the gear, you will hear a clicking sound as the pinion gear repeatedly hits the starting ring gear.
This happens because not enough power is supplied to the starting motor, which is required for the engine to crank. Instead, the power is only sufficient to engage the starting gear on the starter engine.
Reasons Why Won’t Your Car Start But Is Making A Clicking Sound
- Drained battery
The first problem that you need to check is if the battery is drained. Did you leave the headlights or an interior light on while sleeping, or did you do anything else that drained the battery? If that’s the case, a set of jumper cables and another car with a solid battery should get you back on the road quickly.
- Alternator problems
Another possibility is that the alternator, which creates the power that recharges the battery, isn’t working properly. The starter motor drains a lot of the battery’s stored energy, and the alternator is designed to refill it, so if your battery can take a charge and tests well, it has to be rejuvenated between starts. A technician should test an alternator to see if it’s in good operating order.
- Connections with the battery
Inspect the clamps that hold the cords to the battery. They may have become loose due to road vibrations and are no longer making proper electrical contact, requiring tightening. Disconnecting the wires and clearing off the muck may re-establish excellent connections if the corrosion has built upon the terminals.
- Problematic battery
The battery may or may not be able to maintain a charge. Depending on where you live and how you drive, batteries can last anywhere from three to six years. Most parts retailers will test a battery for free in order to determine whether or not you require one.
- Starter motor
If the battery appears to be charged (the headlights, stereo, and other devices all work), but you only hear one click, the starter motor or solenoid is most likely to blame. The solenoid is the switch that turns the flywheel and starts the engine by engaging the starter motor. This is something a technician should diagnose unless you’re a skilled do-it-yourself on auto repairs.
When Your Vehicle Clicks, How Do You Start It?
There are a few things you can try to start your car after hearing the clicking sound. Try a jump start, especially if you hear a rapid clicking noise. Obtain a set of jumper cables and connect the clamps on the dead battery to the clamps on the good battery. Try starting your vehicle. If it starts, it was most likely a dead battery.
If the vehicle still does not start, the issue may be with the starter. If you can see it, give your car’s starter a few hard taps with a screwdriver or hammer.
This can occasionally unfreeze a frozen relay and allow the car to start. You can also try jumping a connector directly from the battery to the starter motor to bypass the starter solenoid. This can, however, be dangerous, so don’t try it unless you’re sure what you’re doing. If you have to do this, you’ll need a new starter anyway, so take your car to a mechanic. Fuel pump troubleshooting can be more difficult and dangerous. While most auto parts stores sell new fuel pumps, this is a job that most people cannot do on their own. Unless you are an experienced DIY mechanic, you should leave this job to a professional. They can run the necessary tests to ensure that the fuel pump is the issue and then replace it.
