Q: My car requires numerous attempts to start.

asked by on July 01, 2016

I hear a singular click when turning my ignition over. Eventually it always starts, sometimes still on the first try, but other times it will take ten minutes of turning over the ignition and repeatedly hearing the singular click before it does. I am fairly confident this is the starter, and was planning on replacing it, I was just curious if there were any other possible explanations for this before I bought a new starter.

Car is not starting Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote
Starter Replacement $169.22 - $1153.49 Get a Quote

It would be helpful to know the year, make, and model of the vehicle but the problem does sound like it could be a starter or a loose connection to the starter. If you want to have this looked at, a technician from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose your car’s starting issue and replace your starter if necessary.

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

How do I adjust the angle of the rear view mirror?
Whenever you are about to drive your car, you should always adjust your rear view mirror so that you have the greatest visibility. To do so, simply grab the mirror with your hand, and tilt it until it is in...
Check Engine light on with a misfire in cylinder 1
Hello. Although you have just replaced the spark plug and coil pack, there could be several things going on here. It is possible that the wiring to the coil pack is broken, there could be a broken wire somewhere, or...
Heater not working
Your vehicle has a control valve in the heater hoses the either blocks or allows the hot coolant to flow into the heating system. This control valve is operated by engine vacuum via several solenoids that are controlled by the...
Having squeaks when driving over bumps and pot holes
There are a lot of different suspension components that can make the noise you are hearing and here is some of them to check: front and rear sway bar bushings and link arms. Shocks and shock bushings, front track bar...
Idling while driving
The main issue you have here is the number of miles on your car. With this many miles, most cars would have been completely worn out. Unless you have taken meticulous car of your car, it is often necessary to...
Trouble Code P0430, assume it is the catalytic converter. Need parts and labor to R&R.
Hello: P0430 is a generic diagnostic trouble code (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0430-obd-ii-trouble-code-catalyst-system-efficiency-below-threshold-bank-2-by-spencer-clayton) that indicates a malfunction within the catalyst system. It may been seen with misfire codes and oxygen sensor codes. Before you get a quote for replacing the catalytic converter, you may...
abs light comes on after brakes were fixed
While it may be possible abs sensors were damaged while the brakes were replaced, without being able to see them to inspect for physical damage, it would be impossible to say yes, they were damaged during other repairs. ABS sensors...
I put glass cleaner in my windshield wiper reservoir. Can I leave it in there or should I flush it out?
Hello - it will be OK to leave the glass cleaner in the windshield washer reservoir. You might want to add a bit of rubbing alcohol to it to prevent freezing during the winter months. (Maybe as much as 1/3...
Traction control not working
Hi There, It sounds like you may have a faulty traction control module. As you know, the traction control system monitors the steering stability of the vehicle and engages when loss of traction has been detected. This is done by...

Related articles

Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Cold Start Injector
Common signs include hard starting, a decrease in fuel efficiency, and engine performance issues.
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Speed Timing Sensor
Common signs include the transmission having difficulty shifting, Check Engine Light coming on, vehicle not starting, and loss of engine power.
How to Test a Starter Solenoid
Starter solenoids are attached to the starter. Test the solenoid with jump cables - when the solenoid fails, the car starter needs to be replaced.