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Anonymous
Anonymous asked in Cars & TransportationMaintenance & Repairs · 9 years ago

Car starter makes a rapid clicking noise, won't start?

Whenever I try to start the car, the starter, I think, makes a series of rapid clicking. the car doesn't attempt to turn over, just purely the starter noise.

the starter was replaced a couple of months ago and the battery is new as of February. the car is a 1999 Jeep grand .

Thanks for any help or if any other information is required I'll try to answer.

8 Answers

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  • 9 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    First Answer is obviously a scam.

    This is usally caused by a low battery, a low battery can be caused by an old battery, many short trips (less than a couple miles), or a bad alternator. If you just replaced the battery and you drive more than a few miles every day, your most likely fault is a bad alternator. Poor cable connections and excessive electrical resistance can also cause this, but are less likely.

  • ?
    Lv 5
    9 years ago

    This is the most common problem that people have. So very often they run out and buy a new starter because they hear the starter solenoid clicking. However, sometimes they don't even hear that.

    Battery terminals and some cables are a lead alloy. Lead is a shiny metalbut will appear dull when not clean. It takes about 9.5 volts to start an engine. Your headlights, radio, etc., may work just fine but you do not have enough power to start you car. In most instances it is because you need to clean your battery terminals and cables.

    Get yourself a wire battery terminal cleaner at an auto parts store for a couple bucks and remove you battery cables and clean them and your battery terminals. Do not go for the old trick of pouring baking soda or coke on yhem. That only cleans the outside. Also, don't look at them and think they are clean just because you don't see a white build-up on them. If this does not fix your problem you may have a dead cell in your battery. With a dead cell, sometimes your car will start and sometimes not. Take it to an auto parts store and they will check it for you.

    Good luck.

    Source(s): Worked on cars for over 55 years.
  • Malvina is a huckster, and David is woefully misinformed. Probably, your battery is weak, and if your car starts with a jump, then all is well except your charging system. Put a DC voltmeter across the battery posts, expect to read between 12 and 12.6VDC. Now start engine, and again test across battery posts. Should read around 17 or so. If reading is lower with engine running than when off, alternator is suspect. If not alternator, check ends and connections (where cable connects to lug and where lug connects to contact point) all the "fat" wires -- from battery to starter relay, from relay to starter, and from car frame back to battery. If alternator and fat wires all OK, you have a voltage drain -- now look for a cigarette lighter stuck in, or light that won't go off --- trunk light, dome light, glove box light are suspects.

    Source(s): mechanic
  • ?
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    This can be caused by several different conditions, but I always start with the basics.

    Remove and clean your battery cables and terminals on your battery inside and out. Use a battery brush available at any auto parts store for a few dollars.

    Assure that all attach points are clean and shiny inside and out, then tighten them down until they can't be moved by hand.

    This will usually solve a large percentage of your power problems.

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  • Joe
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    The rapid clicking makes me think that the starter solenoid isn't pulling in: which often indicates a weak or dead battery.

    Try a jump start. If that works, you'll need to figure out why your fairly new battery went dead.

  • My first thought is a weak battery. If that is new, then the alternator could be failing.

  • ?
    Lv 5
    9 years ago

    is the battery weak? it sounds like it is. try jumping it and see if it starts. i just read other responses and small business owner in tx is absolutely right.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    9 years ago

    the coil not good

    Source(s): experience
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