what does the clicking sound indicate when my car wont start

asked by on

After driving my car for about 20-30 minutes going to work at 80 mph, when i got down to the lower speeds as i was arriving at work i noticed the power of my car diminish. It would be harder to accelerate for the car. After i parked my car in the parking lot i turned the car off. I tried to turn the key to my car after i had parked but as i was trying to ignite the car it would make a clicking noise. I don't seem to know what the problem is because my headlights and dashboard lights still turn on when i turn the key to the 1st position.

My car has 214000 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

There are a variety of clicks you might hear when the car fails to start. Gentle clicks from under the dashboard mean the relays are activating, but the starter is not working. A strong tap from under the hood might be the starter solenoid engaging, but there not being enough power to drive the starter. Sometimes the starter may give a rapid tap tap tapping if it is trying to engage, but the battery is not strong enough. In your case, it may be that your charging system has failed and you have been running on the battery. It doesn’t take nearly as much power to operate the lights as it does the starter, so it’s a possibility that is all the trouble you have. You can find out for sure by contacting Your Mechanic. They can send a technician to your home or office to check out your starting problem and let you know what it will take to solve it.

Was this answer helpful?
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

Get a quote

What others are asking

My car won't start - 2005 Nissan Micra

Hello. You may have a short-term and long-term problem that are the same. For the "Oil Light is on", check the oil level before starting it again. If the oil level is low enough to cause the oil light to...

Automatic car stalls when put in gear

Hi There, It sounds like you may have a faulty MAP sensor. The Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor detects engine load and generates a signal that is proportional to the amount of vacuum in the intake manifold. The ECU uses...

My acura tl melted 2 coil pack and they cannot be removed should I replace the heads or replace the motor 2006 Acura TL

Hello. I would first determine why the coils melted whether it was from an overheat or something else. In some cases the cylinder head will need to be replaced. I would get some help from an engine specialist to be...

Related articles

How Do Power Car Windows Increase Passenger Safety?
Power Power windows are responsible for approximately 2,000 emergency room visits every year. When a power window closes, it exerts enough force to bruise or break bones, crush fingers, or restrict an airway. Though power windows exert large amounts of...
Rules of the Road For Iowa Drivers
Driving Driving on the roads requires knowledge of the rules, many of which are based on common sense and courtesy. However, even though you know the rules in your own state, that does not mean you know them in all...
How to Avoid Back Pain in a Car
If If you have back problems, sitting in a car for an extended period of time can be excruciating. Even without back problems, you could experience discomfort and soreness from sitting in a car’s seat for a long drive. Sometimes,...