You turn the key, and all you hear is a clicking sound. The engine doesn’t crank, and your car refuses to start. This kind of issue can be both frustrating and stressful, especially if you're in a hurry or stuck away from home. A clicking noise often indicates that the starter is receiving power, but something is preventing the engine from turning over. There are several possible reasons for this, and some are easier to fix than others.
Here’s what that clicking sound usually means and how our technicians approach the problem.
The Battery May Be Too Weak
One of the most common reasons for a clicking sound when starting your car is a weak battery. Even if the lights and radio still work, the battery may not have enough power to turn on the engine. The click you hear is the starter solenoid engaging, but without full battery voltage, the engine won’t crank.
If the battery is more than a few years old or you’ve noticed slow starts recently, it could be time for a replacement. Our technicians can test your battery to see if it’s holding a charge or nearing the end of its life.
Corroded or Loose Battery Connections
Even if your battery is in good shape, corroded or loose terminals can prevent enough current from reaching the starter. A simple layer of corrosion or a poorly tightened cable can interrupt the flow of electricity. This often results in a single click or repeated clicking sounds.
We often find that cleaning the terminals and tightening the connections restores normal function. This is one of the first things our team checks during a no-start inspection.
A Failing Starter Motor
The starter motor is responsible for turning the engine on when you start the car. If it begins to wear out, you might hear a click with no movement. In some cases, tapping the starter housing gently with a wrench can get it going temporarily, but this is not a permanent solution.
If the motor is failing or the solenoid attached to it has stopped working properly, it will need to be replaced. Our technicians can test the starter to confirm whether it’s the source of the issue or if the problem lies elsewhere.
Problems with the Starter Relay or Fuse
If the starter relay or a related fuse has failed, the signal from your key or push-button start won’t reach the starter motor. The clicking sound may still occur if the solenoid is getting some power, but the engine won’t turn over.
We check all relevant relays and fuses during diagnostics. These components are inexpensive to replace but critical to the starting system.
Bad Ground Connection
Your vehicle's electrical system relies on solid grounding points to complete the circuit. If there’s corrosion or damage to the ground wire between the battery and the engine block, it can cause a no-start condition with clicking sounds. This issue can be tricky to spot without a proper inspection.
A weak ground connection might also cause dimming lights or intermittent electrical problems. Our technicians can test for voltage drop and repair or replace the ground strap if needed.
Seized Engine or Internal Damage
In more serious cases, the engine itself may be the problem. If internal components have seized or locked up, the starter will engage and click, but the engine won’t move. This is less common but can happen if the engine overheats, runs out of oil, or suffers a mechanical failure.
If we suspect this level of damage, we’ll manually check whether the engine can be turned over by hand. If not, further investigation is required to assess the internal condition of the engine.
Let Crowell Brothers Automotive Inc. in Hoquiam, WA, Get Your Vehicle Starting Again
If your car won’t start and all you hear is a click, bring it to Crowell Brothers Automotive Inc. in Hoquiam, WA. Our technicians can pinpoint whether the issue lies with your battery, starter, or something deeper. We’ll run a complete diagnostic, explain the issue clearly, and get your vehicle back to reliable condition.
Don’t guess at the cause — let our team take care of it with honest, efficient service.
