Car Won't Start Clicking Noise

That rapid clicking when you turn the key is one of the most recognizable car sounds — and one of the most frustrating. Your car is trying to start but can't quite get there.

A clicking noise when trying to start your car means the starter solenoid is engaging but there isn't enough power to turn the starter motor. Rapid clicking (like a machine gun) almost always points to a weak or dead battery — there's enough juice to activate the solenoid but not enough to spin the heavy starter motor. A single loud click usually means the battery has enough power but the starter motor itself has failed.

If you hear rapid clicking, try a jump start. If the car starts with a jump, the battery either needs charging or replacement. A battery that keeps dying points to a failing alternator not keeping it charged. If jumping doesn't help, the battery may be completely dead or the starter itself could be the problem. A single click with a good battery is almost certainly a dead starter motor — the solenoid engages but the motor doesn't spin.

Ez Mobile Mechanic handles clicking no-starts all over Jacksonville. As a mobile mechanic in Jacksonville, we come to you with batteries, starters, and diagnostic tools. We test the battery and starter on the spot to determine exactly what needs replacing. No tow truck needed — your car isn't going anywhere anyway, so we come to it. Call (904) 788-7272.