Battery drain when starting. I here a clicking noise, and it won’t start. Why is that?
I turn the key the battery drain it wont start then i hear a clicking noise up around the dashboard
My car has 147000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello. This may be a faulty starter relay. The starter relay is a small unit usually in the fuse box that directs power to the starter from the battery. When this fails, it may cause a clicking sound and will not allow the starter to engage the flywheel when you turn the key. There is also a starter solenoid on the starter that has internal electrical contacts that transmit electricity to the starter. I would have a professional, like one from YourMechanic, come to your car’s location to diagnose the starting problem and move forward with repairs.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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You could have a junk battery and starter. Try unhooking the battery and jumping the Tahoe with the jumper cables hooked to the terminals. If it starts its the battery. If it makes a tick sound every time you try starting it the starter is the problem.
If you hear rapid clicking…
Perhaps your battery`s dead, or your alternator, which charges the battery, isn`t working correctly. If the source of the clicking is electrical, the starter (a small motor energized by the battery that gets the engine running) doesn`t have enough juice to stay powered.
The Battery is Dead
A dead battery is one of the most common causes of a no start. A low or dead battery doesn`t have enough power to turn the starter motor and will result in a rapid, repeated clicking noise when you turn the key. Leaving your lights on overnight can quickly kill your battery.
The most common reasons a Chevrolet Tahoe won`t start are a dead battery, an alternator problem, or failed starter.
Damaged CV joint: The most common cause of a clicking or popping sound from the wheels is a broken CV joint. The CV joints, which stand for Constant Velocity, are essentially the wrists of your vehicle`s steering system.
Usually a rapid clicking noise is a good indication that your starter motor isn`t getting enough electrical current to engage – basically your solenoid is trying to engage but can`t make the connection.
Why won`t my car start but the battery is good? If your car won`t start but the battery is good, the most common cause is a faulty starter – though it could also be to do with your fuel. You may have insufficient fuel to get the car going.
If your starter relay has gone bad, the electrical signal will never make it from the battery to the starter motor. As a result, your engine won`t turn over – no matter how many times you turn the key. A faulty relay often produces an audible clicking sound when you turn your car.
Bad Sensors
One common culprit for this problem is the crankshaft position sensor, which measures the position and speed of the crankshaft. The computer uses the information from this sensor to know when to fire the spark plugs. If the sensor isn`t working, the spark plugs won`t fire, keeping the engine from starting.
The outer joints pivot, allowing the front wheels to turn. When outer CV joints become worn, they can make a clicking, popping, or snapping sound, especially when the vehicle is cornering and accelerating. Another reason a car can make a popping noise when turning is because of a damaged tie rod.
Escaping gases: Scientists explain that synovial fluid present in your joints acts as a lubricant. The fluid contains the gases oxygen, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. When you pop or crack a joint, you stretch the joint capsule. Gas is rapidly released, which forms bubbles.
Worn wheel bearings can make all kinds of noises, from snapping, grinding, and humming to the clicking and popping sounds under debate. Symptoms of worn wheel bearings include uneven tyre wear, wheel vibrations, and oddly performing brakes.
The starter relay makes a clicking sound, but the engine does not rotate, which indicates that the starter motor is not receiving enough current from the relay. This may also be a sign of low or exhausted battery power. Only when it transmits enough current to the starter, the relay starts to work.
If you hear a grinding noise when you turn the key or press the start button, you likely have a starter that needs replacement. One of the curiosities about a bad starter is that it can still start the engine.
Trouble Starting or Frequent Stalling
As previously mentioned, trouble starting your engine might mean that your alternator is failing to charge the battery. This means that when you turn the key in the ignition, all you`ll hear is a clicking sound instead of the purr of your engine.
If you`ve replaced your battery but the engine still won`t start, it could actually be an engine problem. A seized engine won`t turn over, and that often resembles a bad starter or dead battery. If you suspect that your problem stems from an engine issue, it could take hours to diagnose and repair.
The short answer is: Yes, it can. It could also drain the battery even faster if you repeatedly try to start your car with a faulty starter.
Car suddenly stalls while operating: One of the most common symptoms of a failed ignition relay is a car that suddenly stalls while operating. If the ignition relay shorts, burns out, or otherwise fails while the engine is operating it will cut off power to the fuel pump and ignition system.
The crankshaft position sensor monitors the position and speed of the crankshaft and other parameters that play an important role when starting the engine. If the crankshaft position sensor is having a problem, the vehicle may have intermittent starting issues or not start at all.
The MAF can become clogged with excessive carbon build-up from the combustion cycle, or sometimes by road grime. If it is too dirty, it will be unable to correctly measure the air fuel ratio, and cause your car to not start or exhibit other unusual symptoms.
With a cranking system, symptoms are divided into one of three possible troubleshooting categories: Click — No-Crank (solenoid clicks but starter doesn`t crank) No-Click — No-Crank (solenoid doesn`t click/starter doesn`t crank) Slow Crank (starter cranks, but engine RPM slow to start vehicle)
A worn outer CV joint will produce loud clicking noises when you turn sharply. Usually, this noise will increase with acceleration. A worn inner CV joint can cause loud clunking noises when switching between drive and reverse.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
My 2003 ford explorer wont start up just get click click click click click click click click
ANSWER : If the battery is weak and the voltage is dropping to below 9 volts you will get the clicking without the starter turning the motor. Have the battery voltage checked and if battery cannot hold a load then replace it and clean the battery terminals and recheck system to see if it starts.
New battery & fuel pump. Hours later car starts and shuts down 3X in a row. Finally it starts, 48 hours later, won’t start at all
ANSWER : Checking all the fuses was a good move. I would also want to put a scan tool on it and check for diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) as well as seeing the data that the computer is seeing.
A fuel pressure test would be a good idea to verify correct pressure and so that you’d be able to eliminate that possibility. It should be 58psi on your Magnum.
I also recommend getting your battery tested (I know, it’s new, have it tested anyway) and be sure it’s charged to at least 75%. And yes, loose battery cable connections can result in electrical problems.
If you need some assistance with this, consider enlisting a certified mechanic who can perform the checks I’ve mentioned and diagnose your starting issue firsthand. The mechanic can then perform the necessary repairs once the problem has been isolated. Good luck.
Installed new battery but car won’t start – 2005 Honda Civic
ANSWER : Your symptoms could be caused by several components. At first, it sounds like the starter is cranking, but isn’t powerful enough to turn over the engine. This could be due to a bad electrical connection or faulty starter. Replacing the starter is the only option at that point. Now if the engine is turning over, and still unable to start, you have an issue with fuel, air, or spark delivery. Turn the key to accessory and listen for the faint sound of your fuel pump priming. It will sound like a very quiet winding or whirling. That will let you know if the fuel pump is powered and trying to work. You should also check the spark plug and wires. There are specific tools you can use to test them. However, if your spark plugs have over 50,000 miles, they may need to be replaced anyway. If you still need help with a diagnosis, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to inspect the no-start and pinpoint the correct repair.
Car won’t start. When trying to start, starter makes a clicking noise and then closed back hatch recloses.
ANSWER : It sounds like there is some type of drain on the battery. When there is low voltage in a battery, it can cause several symptoms. The electrical systems can act very strangely when they don’t have the correct voltage being supplied. When a battery won’t hold a charge, it can be caused by a wiring issue, a bad battery, or some type of parasitic draw that can slowly pull voltage from the battery. Some electrical diagnosis done by a professional, such as one from YourMechanic, will be necessary to pinpoint the cause.
Fuel pump engages. Batery good, alternator good volts, jump start helps when wont start. Temp does not matter. Intermittent?
ANSWER : Hello. Thank you for writing in. There are several reasons your vehicle may only start when jump starting. The first and most common is a build up of resistance that is causing you to need a boost of voltage to get the engine started. This may be due to poor battery cables, a bad ground connection, a poor starter solenoid, and a couple of other issues. The first thing you want to do is perform a visual inspection of the starting system. Make sure there is no corrosion build up in the battery cables. You can also check the resistance across these wires and make sure you have a solid connection between components. You then want to make sure the starter solenoid is doing its job. It is responsible for taking the small amount of electricity sent by the ignition and turning it into a huge electrical charge that is strong enough to push over the engine with the help of some gear ratios in its favor. Do some more testing, and stick to the basics before assuming its something seriously complicated.
Vehicle won’t start, once it’s jump started it only stays running until you turn it off, then it work start again without jumping.
ANSWER : Hi there. There could be two problems here. It is possible that your battery is bad and will not take a charge from your alternator while driving. In that case every time you shut your car off you will not have enough juice to start it again. Inspect your battery – it should have at least 12.5 to 13 volts to start your car, if it doesn’t you will need to replace the battery. The second problem could be that your alternator is bad and not charging your battery, in this case you will need to replace your alternator. Both the battery and the alternator can be tested in your car. If you would like to have the car checked for you, a certified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the starting problem and proceed with repairs.
Battery drain when starting. I here a clicking noise, and it won’t start. Why is that?
ANSWER : Hello. This may be a faulty starter relay. The starter relay is a small unit usually in the fuse box that directs power to the starter from the battery. When this fails, it may cause a clicking sound and will not allow the starter to engage the flywheel when you turn the key. There is also a starter solenoid on the starter that has internal electrical contacts that transmit electricity to the starter. I would have a professional, like one from YourMechanic, come to your car’s location to diagnose the starting problem and move forward with repairs.
2005 Chrysler 300C changed battery and alternator. Car started, ran, and then battery light came on. Shut car off and wouldn’t start.
ANSWER : Hi. There is a couple of things that could be wrong here. The battery or alternator that was just installed could be defective. Theses parts need to be tested for proper operation. There also could be a fuse, fusible link, or wiring for the battery or charging system that is blown or broken causing the battery light to come on.
The codes that you have will cause the car to shut down, run rough, or not start at all. The crankshaft sensor and camshaft sensor should be replaced. I suggest having a certified technician from YourMechanic come diagnose the charging system and check engine codes to help you proceed with correct repairs.
