New battery, car still won’t start. Single click sounds, like a dead battery
My car wouldn't start so I bought a new battery. I installed the new batt, but the car still won't start. Everything works (radio, a/c, lights) but the car still won't start. It makes a single click when u turn the key. It makes a sound like a dead battery.
My car has 200000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
It sounds like you may have a faulty starter solenoid. If you hear a clicking sound when turning the key, it is likely that your starter solenoid may be faulty. 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 recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?
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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.
When you have a brand-new battery but still can`t start the car, the alternator might be the issue. Cold and damp climates may increase wear on an alternator, causing it to fail. Flickering gauges and a burning rubber smell could indicate that the alternator overheated and requires replacement.
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.
Starter Motor. If the battery appears to be charged (the headlights, stereo and other accessories work) but you only hear one click, then the problem probably lies with the starter motor or the solenoid. The solenoid is the switch that engages the starter motor so it turns the flywheel and starts the engine.
It sounds like you may have a starter solenoid that may be in the beginning stages of failing or potentially a weak battery. Typically, when a battery is weak you may have some erratic start failures that will usually result in a clicking sound as you describe.
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.
Your car`s ignition switch, alternator, battery, starter, or a fuse could be malfunctioning. Your safety switch could be broken. This switch keeps your transmission from starting unless you`re in park or neutral. If it is malfunctioning, it will keep your car from starting.
If you hear a whine or the sound goes fuzzy when you hit the gas, your alternator is probably failing. If the vehicle won`t crank or start but the headlights are still working, look to problems with the starter or other parts of the engine.
If you want to perform a full reset, wait at least 15 minutes before reconnecting the battery to ensure all residual power has been drained. A full reset reverts your ECU to its factory settings and likely causes it to forget its learned ideal shift points and air-fuel mixing ratios.
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.
If your car is making a clicking noise when you try to start it, this could be a sign of a dead battery. To check for a dead battery, you should pay attention to tell-tale signs such as dim headlights or interior lights, slow cranking when starting the engine, and no sound at all when turning the key in the ignition.
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.
If your car is making a clicking noise when you try to start it, this could be a sign of a dead battery. To check for a dead battery, you should pay attention to tell-tale signs such as dim headlights or interior lights, slow cranking when starting the engine, and no sound at all when turning the key in the ignition.
A brand new starter could cost you around $50 – $350, while labor costs from a qualified mechanic could range between $150 – $1,100. In total, replacing a bad starter motor could amount to between $200 – $1450.
Relevant Questions and Answers :
the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue
New battery, car still won’t start. Single click sounds, like a dead battery
ANSWER : It sounds like you may have a faulty starter solenoid. If you hear a clicking sound when turning the key, it is likely that your starter solenoid may be faulty. 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 recommend having a professional from YourMechanic come to your location to diagnose and inspect your vehicle.
My car will not start Intermittently. I purchased a new battery 2 weeks ago and yesterday the car wouldn’t start. Got a jump and
ANSWER : The issue you are having is probably due to an intermittent fault in the starter motor itself or a deficiency in the starter electrical circuit, for example a large voltage drop due to a poor ground or a high resistance connection. These issues can be readily diagnosed and resolved on a mobile basis if you request a hard starting diagnostic. If you request that diagnostic, the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you promptly. Based on Toyota’s Factory Service Manual, the battery should not be disconnected if the vehicle engine is running. The battery acts as a large resistive voltage sink and consequently taking the battery out of the circuit, while the alternator is still running, can create a voltage spike on the car’s electrical system which is not good for voltage sensitive components such as the engine computer. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.
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.
My car won’t start I just got a new starter , when I try to start my car it make a click sound nothing else.
ANSWER : Hi there. It sounds like a weak battery, however there are other possibilities that can create the same symptom. Has the battery been tested? Have it tested with a digital volt/ohm tester that provides current voltage, cold cranking amps, and state of health; replace as necessary. Any corrosion on the terminals? Do the terminals fit properly? Corroded and loose terminals prevent proper voltage and amperage from reaching the starter and will need to be repaired. Has a voltage drop test been performed on the cable to the starter to check for excessive resistance? Any corrosion that makes its way into the cable can create resistance and lower the available voltage and amperage to the starter; this will need to be replaced if this is the case. If all checks ok, then the new starter could be faulty and need to be replaced. I suggest having a qualified technician perform an inspection to avoid replacing unnecessary parts. Your Mechanic has several available technicians that can assist you with a car does not start inspection.
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.
Brand new car has problem starting 2016 Nissan Sentra
ANSWER : Hi – the "hard start when hot" sounds like a weak starter solenoid – unusual for a new car. "Heat soak" the transfer of heat after a vehicle has been driven, can sometimes cause weak electrical components, like the starter solenoid, to fail while hot, but work properly once they have cooled down. Since your vehicle is under warranty, I would seek correction through the dealer where you purchased the vehicle. If this is not satisfactory, call Nissan Customer Service to escalate.
Car won’t start. The check engine light, battery light, and oil change light are coming on. I tried jumping the car and nothing happened. Why won’t my car start?
ANSWER : Hi and thanks for contacting Your Mechanic. If sometimes your vehicle will start with the new alternator and sometimes it won’t, then there is a loose connection in your charging system. Check all of the wires to the alternator and to the battery. Make sure that the battery cables are clean and tight. Make sure that the wires to the starter are clean and tight. A loose ground to the ignition system will cause the vehicle to not crank over. Check all of the ground wires from the battery to the starter. Make sure that they are clean and tight. If you need further assistance troubleshooting your no start situation, then seek out a technician, such as one from Your Mechanic, that can assist you.
Water was spilled in the trunk which soaked the car battery. Car won’t start now. Does water destroy a car battery?
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in about the concern with the BMW 320i. If the battery was submerged in water then it’s completely possible for the battery to short out and die. Your friend will need to have the battery replaced. Also be sure to get all of the water out of the trunk. Have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, help you guys out if you need assistance with replacing the battery. Good luck.
