I am having trouble with my key fully turning in the ignition to start. It will turn halfway and I hear a clicking noise.
My key will not fully turn in the ignition to actually start the car. I have to continuously turn it, it sometimes take me 15-20 mins for the key to turn all the way to start the car. While I'm turning the key I do hear a clicking noise as if something is not catching.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hello, thanks for writing in. The symptoms you are experiencing can commonly be caused by a faulty starter, starter relay, or ignition switch. A clicking sound when you turn the key can sometimes be caused by a faulty starter or starter relay. A starter will click if the electric motor in the starter is worn and unable to engage, while a relay will click if it has internal issues. It may also be possible that the ignition switch or cylinder are the source of the issue. If they are worn out they may not be providing adequate contact for the vehicle to properly start. I would try to determine where the noise is coming from and go from there. If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect and diagnose this issue for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :
One of the symptoms of a bad starter is a single clicking noise when you turn the key or push the start button. Tapping the starter can sometimes get it going again, but no guarantees. Most likely, you`ll need to get your starter repaired or replaced.
If you don`t hear clicking when you start the engine, the problem may be a dead battery. If you hear clicking, but the engine doesn`t crank, the starter might not be getting enough electricity. Using your owner`s manual and a voltmeter, you should be able to test functionality.
One of the most common causes is worn-out ball joints. Ball joints connect the control arm to the steering knuckle and allow the car to turn. When they wear out, they can cause a clicking noise.
it sounds like you may have a problem with the charging system not properly maintaining a charge on the battery. The clicking sound (usually very rapid) is a result of the battery not generating enough power to cause the starter motor to turn the engine over.
Common Signs of a Bad Starter
The engine won`t turn over. The most common signal that your starter has a problem is if nothing happens when you turn the key or push to start. Unusual noises, such as clinking, grinding and whirring. If you ignore these sounds, it can eventually lead to damage to the engine flywheel.
How can I tell if my ignition switch is failing? A bad ignition switch will have problems with starting the engine, keeping it running, or engaging other systems when the key is turned. You might also have issues turning the key.
The most common reason cars don`t start is a dead or faulty battery. Even though most cars run on gasoline, they all require electrical power to function. The starter that cranks your engine to start requires an electrical signal to fire. If something`s wrong with your battery, your car engine won`t turn over.
A brand-new starter can range from $80 to over $350. For a qualified mechanic to replace or rebuild your starter, you can expect to pay between $150 and over $1,100. These estimates vary dramatically depending on the particular issue and the make, model, and year of your vehicle.
It requires a good deal of energy to crank the car`s motor, and if a battery is not replenishing its power properly due to a faulty alternator, it will become drained and ineffective. You will hear a clicking noise while attempting to start the car, and the engine will have difficulty turning over.
Starter motors should make noise when you turn your ignition key fully to activate your car. If you turn the key and do not hear anything, there`s a chance that there`s something wrong with the vehicle`s ignition switch.
A dead battery is one of the most common reasons why your car won`t start. Check the battery terminals for corrosion and clean them using a wire brush or battery cleaning solution. If the battery is old or damaged, it may need to be replaced entirely.
What is this? You may have accidentally turned on the Filter Keys or Touch Sound on your computer. To turn it off, go to Control Panel and click on Ease of Access Center. This feature helps minimize keystroke noise and slows down the speed at which a key repeats when held down.
The clicking sound is from the starter relay. When you turn the key, the relay clicks on to energize the starter motor. That draws a lot more power which causes the battery voltage to droop. When it gets too low, the relay clicks off.
Each key on a mechanical keyboard contains a switch underneath. The switch is composed of spring inside of a housing. Upon pressing a key, the user receives some resistance from the spring and once the key is fully pressed, the keyboard will make a clicking sound!
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.
No two starters will last the same length of time and there is usually no way to know that your starter is dying until the day your car doesn`t start and you have to call for service. They could last as long as 200,000 miles or as little as 30,000.
So can a bad starter drain your battery? 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. A faulty starter is also one of the leading causes of battery overcharging.
If you ever hear growling or whining noises coming from under the hood, you could have alternator problems, which should be checked out by a professional ASAP. This growling or whining sound happens when the belt that turns the alternator`s pulley becomes misaligned or rubs against the side of the pulley.
Replacing a starter motor isn`t the simplest job for a mechanic. Quite often, there are a lot of components to get past to access it. It can take a good couple of hours to clear the way, remove it, pop its replacement in place and put everything back together again.
Luckily, replacing a starter is not a difficult task. In most cases, it`s a fairly simple process that anyone with basic car knowledge can do.
Signs of a Bad Starter Solenoid
It usually means there`s a faulty connection in the solenoid. Another common symptom is a single clicking noise when you turn the key.
A bad starter`s tell-tale noise is loud clicking. It can either have a fast tempo, click-click-click-click-click-click-click-click or a slower lilt of click, click, click, click. No other part makes these noises when they fail, so if you hear either, you`re likely going to be on the hook for a brand-new starter.
Starter motor issues can manifest as a single, loud click emanating from the starter relay or starter solenoid. Usually, this points to a faulty relay or solenoid, or a bad or jammed starter motor. Solution: Rock your car back and forth or tap the starter motor with a hammer and try starting the engine again.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
I am having trouble with my key fully turning in the ignition to start. It will turn halfway and I hear a clicking noise.
ANSWER : Hello, thanks for writing in. The symptoms you are experiencing can commonly be caused by a faulty starter, starter relay, or ignition switch. A clicking sound when you turn the key can sometimes be caused by a faulty starter or starter relay. A starter will click if the electric motor in the starter is worn and unable to engage, while a relay will click if it has internal issues. It may also be possible that the ignition switch or cylinder are the source of the issue. If they are worn out they may not be providing adequate contact for the vehicle to properly start. I would try to determine where the noise is coming from and go from there. If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect and diagnose this issue for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.
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.
Put key in ignition. Lights and everything come on for a second, then went off as I turned the key. Now no power, key stuck
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. This sounds like your battery cable connections are corroded or loose at the battery. Try to see if the battery connections are loose by wiggling them and see if power returns. If power returns, then have the cables removed, cleaned, and reconnected to test the battery. Hope this helps and best of luck!
When I start the Jeep I hear a clicking noise once I turn the ignition , it wouldn’t start til I pushed the accelerator
ANSWER : Hi There,
It sounds like you may have a weak battery or potentially a faulty starter solenoid. Generally, pressing the accelerator makes no difference on today’s modern vehicles due to the throttle by wire technology cars are equipped with. The clicking noise you hear may be related to a weak battery that is simply too weak to turn the engine over. when this happens, the battery will direct the power it does have to the starter which engages the flywheel when you turn the key trying to turn the motor over. When there is not enough power to make this happen, it may produce a clicking sound as you describe.
It sounds like you may have a weak battery or potentially a faulty starter solenoid. Generally, pressing the accelerator makes no difference on today’s modern vehicles due to the throttle by wire technology cars are equipped with. The clicking noise you hear may be related to a weak battery that is simply too weak to turn the engine over. when this happens, the battery will direct the power it does have to the starter which engages the flywheel when you turn the key trying to turn the motor over. When there is not enough power to make this happen, it may produce a clicking sound as you describe.
The starter solenoid is located on the starter and has internal electrical contacts that transmit electricity to the starter. As electricity is supplied to the starter a small gear comes out and engages the flywheel to spin the engine over as you turn the key. When this fails, it may cause a clicking sound and will not allow the starter to engage the flywheel when you turn the key. I would suggest having a professional from YourMechanic come to your home to diagnose your starter.
Car was sometimes not starting, not even cranking when i turned the key then after a few times itd start. Now it ont start at all
ANSWER : Hi there:
Without being there to inspect your vehicle, or having information about what type of car, truck or SUV you own, it’s very hard for us to give you some advice. You might want to have a professional mobile mechanic complete a car is hard to start inspection; so they can come to your location and determine why your vehicle is having these issues.
Key turns in ignition but engine doesn’t turn over
ANSWER : Hello there, many different faults can cause your car to not start when the key is turned. In this case the most likely faults would be a ignition switch, key cylinder, worn key, key transponder failure, or a wiring harness fault. A qualified technician such as one from YourMechanic will be able to diagnose your car not starting and make any repairs required to resolve it.
The smart key can turn the ignition but can’t start the car
ANSWER : Hi there. It appears that the issues you’re experiencing may be caused by the ignition lock cylinder. In some newer vehicles (made after 2000) this part has multiple springs inside the cylinder that allows you to press the key forward and allow it to automatically spring back once the vehicle starts. If this is not happening, then I suggest having a professional mechanic diagnose the starting problem so that the ignition and starting issue can be addressed properly.
Car kind of starts but remove the key and it goes ape s**t
ANSWER : Hello, thank you for writing in. The ignition can absolutely do some strange things. It is responsible for the power supply being sent to the starter, relays, and all of the electronics. If the ignition cylinder is holding the power supply to the starter it will continue to crank. When the engine finally starts the the key turns back on click to the "on" position, the power is cut to the starter. While it is unlikely that the relay/ fuse or the starter will cause the issue, if the ignition cylinder is replaced and the issue persists, you can check there next. Again, they do not supply the power to the starter but are more of safety devices to protect the system. For more diagnostic help, or to replace the ignition cylinder, contact our service department.
