Clicking Sound When Starting Car

A car can make some weird sounds every time something's wrong in its insides. One such sound is the rapid clicking noise when starting car, which is usually followed by the engine being unable to start. Expert mechanics are so used to diagnosing car problems, that they can find the fault just by listening to a car. Though your ears may not be tuned to diagnose your car's maladies, like expert mechanics, with a little help you can learn too. The clicking noise when trying to start a car followed by the engine going dead and car not starting is quite a common problem. In this article I present the causes behind clicking sound when starting cars.

Car Ignition Basics
Before we get to the root causes behind clicking sound when starting cars, a brief introduction to how car ignition works will be helpful. This will help you understand where to look when facing car starting problems.

For the car to start, the engine needs to be cranked up by the starter motor. Power is supplied to the starter motor through the car battery connected with the starter circuit. The right mixture of fuel and air must be supplied to the engine, at the right compression enforced by the piston, along with a strong spark, that starts combustion of fuel. The most vital link is the working of the starter motor without which car start is impossible.

Clicking Noise When Starting Car - Causes
Whining, screeching, clanking, grinding, crunching, squealing and clicking are just some of the sounds made by cars that are in need of repair! These are signals from cars that hint at an urgent need for car repair as soon as possible. Let us see what could be the reasons for clicking sound when starting cars.

Starter Motor Problems
The immediate problem that may cause the clicking sound with car not starting, is a dead starter motor. Either the motor is broken down or it is unable to get into action, due to lack of proper voltage or faulty triggering mechanism. The solution is to get it checked and repaired as soon as possible.

Car Battery Terminal Corrosion
Clicking sound starting engine and inability to start may be attributed to inadequate power being supplied to the car's starter motor, because of car battery terminal corrosion. Open up the car hood and check the car battery. If you see, blue, green deposits on the terminals, then that is exactly the problem which is causing the 'no starter' situation. Get the terminal cleaned to restore proper voltage supply from the car battery.

Dead Car Battery
The prime reason for clicking sound when starting car followed by a 'no start' situation is a dead car battery. There are many reasons for a battery going dead. One is low fluids in battery and the other is the failure of the alternator leading to a dead car battery. You need to check for both. Arm yourself with a voltmeter and check the battery output voltage. Also check the alternator functioning. Try to jump start the car and get it moving till the repair center.

Solenoid Problems
Another problem that can lead to a 'no start' situation is a problem with a solenoid that switches on the starter motor. If that is faulty, then just get it replaced.

Hope this brief overview of the possible reasons behind clicking sound when starting cars was useful. Regular car battery maintenance and check up of the alternator, as well as car ignition system, once a year, will ensure that you face no car starting problems.