Clickety Clickety Problem

UKMX-3 · Post by **UKMX-3** » September 5th, 2005, 8:54 am

Guys...my car has developed a habit of not starting...maybe just a slighty weak battery but could be something else.

It only happens if i sit in the car for a while with the stereo on etc, without the engine on. Then when i try the car it won't start.
I turn the ignition and all i get is an electrical sounding Clicking noise, the noise only stops when i let the ignition flick back to its normal on position.

After four or five attempts the battery starts to get noticebaley weaker.

Ive managed to start the car everytime by getting a push and then droping the clutch while in second gear but im concerned that it might be an inidcation of something about to fail.

The car starts perfectly the rest of the time...anyone got any ideas?

my list of suspects is

Battery

Distributor

Alternator

Anything else it could be?

neutral · Post by **neutral** » September 5th, 2005, 9:22 am

That clicking is the starter solenoid switch getting juice while not having enough to turn the starter motor. Sounds like a weak battery so next question is why.

How old is the battery? If it's a few years old or more - sounds like it's failing in ability to hold a charge. Standard lead acid batteries generally last anywhere from 3+ to 5 yrs before they lose the ability to hold a charge.

Otherwise, low alt. output would be the next likely suspect in not fully charging the battery. That could be due to an alt. belt that needs tensioning or a bad alternator.

btw, is it a stock type stereo or one with a billion watt aux amp??

Grants · Post by **Grants** » September 5th, 2005, 5:09 pm

Agreed - almost certainly the battery.

Rick Johnson · Post by **Rick Johnson** » September 5th, 2005, 6:57 pm

Sounds like the battery, get a multimeter and check it out. BTW you shouldn't be trying to push start in 2nd gear, use 1st or reverse.

Ricksmx3 · Post by **Ricksmx3** » September 5th, 2005, 7:21 pm

You could try to clean the terminals and tighten them down good and tight after you clean them.

Kokiriwave · Post by **Kokiriwave** » September 5th, 2005, 7:28 pm

I just had this problem, The car was DEAD. Tried to jump but i got a few pathetic clicks, distributer was new, took the battery to schuck's and got it checked, it had 4 out of 12 remaining volts, replaced and it clicked over instantly.

Turn the car on if you use the stereo for a long time, because old batteries can't hold a charge very well..

Kokiriwave · Post by **Kokiriwave** » September 5th, 2005, 7:31 pm

PS. if the battery is leaking acid, pop open the caps and pour distilled water in if its low, this won't "fix" the battery problem, it'll just slow down the loss of the batteries charge.