Car Clicks When Trying to Start? 5 Common Causes

Editor’s note: This article was last updated on May 23, 2020. It has been reviewed by Cars.com Senior News Editor Jennifer Harrington and is still accurate.

When your car’s engine won’t start and all you hear is a rapid clicking noise, you’re likely to mutter, “Darn” (or perhaps another four-letter word) and instantly think that something is wrong with the battery.

Related: Video: How to Find a Mechanic You Can Trust

You would probably be right. That dreaded clicking noise can usually be traced to the battery, and the fix could be as simple as a jump-start or tightening a cable. Just one click, though, probably means the fault lies with the starter motor (more on that later).

If you hear rapid clicking, here’s what to look for:

1. Battery Drained

First, did you leave the headlights or an interior light on, or something else that drained the battery while you were sleeping? If so, then a set of jumper cables and another car with a good battery should get you up and running in a short time.

2. Cables, Connections and Corrosion

Second, check the clamps for the cables connected to the battery. They may have come loose from road vibrations and are no longer making good electrical contact, so they need to be tightened. If corrosion has built up on the terminals, disconnecting the cables and cleaning off the muck might restore good connections.

3. Bad Battery

Then there’s the battery itself, which might not be able to hold a charge. Batteries last from less than three years to more than six, depending on where you live and your driving. Most parts stores will test a battery for free to tell you if you need one.

4. Alternator Issues

If all of the above checks out, another possibility is that the alternator, which generates the power that recharges the battery, isn’t doing its job. Activating the starter motor drains much of the battery’s stored power and the alternator is supposed to replenish it, so if your battery itself is capable of taking a charge and tests OK, it needs to be rejuvenated between starts. An alternator should be tested by a technician to determine if it’s working properly.

5. 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. Unless you’re a skilled do-it-yourselfer on auto repairs, this is something a technician should diagnose.

When the cause of a no-start situation isn’t apparent, it’s better to consult a pro instead of guessing which parts you need to replace. That can turn into an expensive misadventure.

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