Q: I' trying to start my vehicle and it made a loud clacking noise and the battery is drained

asked by on October 18, 2016

Is it the starter or a slow drain
My car has an automatic transmission.

Starter Replacement $169.22 - $1153.49 Get a Quote

Hello. If the vehicle produced a clicking clacking sound when the key was turned then it may be possible that the battery or starter are the issue. A faulty, or low battery will cause the starter to click if it does not have enough power for the starter to properly engage. It may also be possible that the starter is worn, and can no longer properly engage, in which case it will need to be replaced. I would test the battery to see if it needs to be charged, and if it is still producing enough power to meet the vehicle’s requirements. If the battery is good then it may be possible that the starter is the issue.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What are the wear indicators on the tires and what do they mean?
Your tires should provide you with a long life, but they will eventually wear out. Every time you drive, a minute amount of rubber is worn off the surface of the tire’s tread. Eventually, the tread will wear out completely....
How do you cancel active park assist?
While the (optional) active park assist (APA) system on your car provides you with automated assistance for parallel parking, there may be times that you need to cancel the procedure. Don’t worry – it’s easy. Use any of these methods:...
New refrigerant only temporarily fixes air conditioning
Based upon your description, it appears you have a refrigerant leak. If you have inserted refrigerant that has 'UV Dye' included, detecting the leak is helpful with a 'UV light'. There are four major components linked together with hoses and...
AC leak on a 2008 Prius
Understand that's a Prius and that car has an AC compressor that works on hundreds of volts electricity. It's an electric compressor. It uses special fluids, too. You can't use the regular AC fluid as it will short it out....
my car is slow to accelerate. i have a p0171 code. i replaced my o2 sensor but the code came back on. what else could it be?
The code P0171 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0171-obd-ii-trouble-code-system-too-lean-bank-1-by-andrew-quinn) is a lean code indicating the O2 sensor is detecting the engine is running lean – that is, the air/fuel mixture is imbalanced. You may have a clogged fuel filter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-fuel-filter) or a fuel pump (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-fuel-pump)...
Engine is dying and not getting any gas since new fuel filter
First try and open the gas cap to relieve any vacuum in the fuel system. Make sure you are not out of fuel. Double check the fuel relay is seated properly. If your Check Engine Light is on, then have...
Alternator and battery - 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche
Hello. This may be a sign of a failing voltage regulator (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/instrument-voltage-regulator-replacement) or potentially a faulty connection somewhere in the charging system causing the light to come on. The voltage regulator is a unit that regulates the charging of the...
My oil pressure gauge is reading zero.
Hi there. There is no way to tell if the oil pressure is really low or your sending unit or gauge is bad. Instead of towing it, you may want to have a mechanic come to you and diagnose the...
Car is misfiring on cylinder 4, 5, and 6.
Check the harness to the fuel injectors to the cylinders 4, 5, and 6. There could be a loose connection or the injectors could have failed. Put a noid light on each injector and see if there is power to...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy for Senior Citizens
Everyone Everyone needs a way to get around. You need to get groceries, get to doctors’ appointments, visit with family and more. However, senior citizens have very different needs when it comes to buying a used car than other demographics....
The Best Used Cars to Buy If You're Towing a Boat
If If you’re towing a boat, the vehicle that you buy is largely going to depend on the size and weight of your boat plus trailer. Most cars, realistically, aren’t cut out for the job. We recommend a pickup truck...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Cold Start Injector
Common signs include hard starting, a decrease in fuel efficiency, and engine performance issues.