A car that will not start and just clicks is usually telling you that the starter is not getting enough current. Rapid clicking almost always means a weak battery or a poor connection: the starter solenoid engages, the voltage collapses, and it drops out again. A single click with no cranking points to the starter motor or solenoid, a bad connection at the starter, or, rarely, an engine that cannot turn.
Rapid clicking vs a single click
| Sound | Likely causes |
|---|---|
| Rapid clicking, dash lights dim | Low battery, corroded or loose terminals, bad ground |
| One click, lights stay bright | Starter motor or solenoid, a bad starter cable or connection |
| One click, lights go dim or out | Battery too weak or a poor main connection |
| No click at all | Starter relay, ignition switch, neutral safety or range sensor, clutch switch |
| Click and a heavy clunk, engine will not turn | Seized or hydrolocked engine; see seized engine |
Just clicks but the battery is good
Dash lights draw very little current, so lights that come on do not prove the battery can crank the engine. Have it load-tested. If it passes, check the cables: corrosion inside a cable, a loose ground strap between the engine and body, or a bad connection at the starter all cause clicking with a healthy battery. Then test the starter; see bad starter symptoms.
Clicks once and lights flash
Lights that flicker or go out when you turn the key point to a connection that cannot carry the starter current, or a battery near empty. Clean and tighten both battery terminals and check the main ground.
What to try
- Try a jump start; see how to jump start a car. If it starts, the battery or its connections are the problem.
- Clean and tighten the battery terminals and ground straps.
- For an automatic, try starting in neutral; a faulty transmission range sensor can block cranking in park.
- If it only clicks once with a good battery, the starter or its solenoid is the likely failure.
If the battery keeps going flat
A battery that is flat again after a jump needs testing along with the charging system; see car battery dies overnight and bad alternator symptoms.
Cranks but won’t start
If the engine cranks normally but will not fire, the problem is fuel, spark or a sensor rather than the starting circuit; see car won’t start and crankshaft position sensor.
More guides: bad ground symptoms.
Trouble codes: P0615 Starter Relay Circuit · P0616 Starter Relay Circuit Low · all OBD2 codes.
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