Starter Click sound

[WhiteKnight]

Sometimes when I go to start the car--the starter just makes a click sound one time. If I keep turning the ignition switch to "Start" about 12 times-it may then start.But if I add a battery jump - it always starts.

Would this be a bad ground? Bad relay? Or...................?

[sx moneypit]

The first thing you need to do is get the battery checked.You could also have some bad connections at the battery or it could be a bad starter.

[WhiteKnight]

The voltmeter shows I'm below 12 volts whenever I turn the key on.

Today.....I got the click sound......I turned the key 5 times and it started the 5th time

[foress_89]

Battery, alternator, wiring... something is wrong. Check for loose connections on the battery and starter, then well have the battery checked. If the battery and wiring is good the starter could be going.

[n240sxfnatic]

Id say ground

[WhiteKnight]

Does someone have a photo of the starter and wires because mine are so messed up I can't tell how they should be.

[foress_89]

you can start by locating your battery, check those wires, and as for the starter.. I don't remember where is it but it will most likely not be the wires there. If you can't locate the starter by yourself you should obviously not be working on it. Sorry about that.

[WhiteKnight]

I see the starter...............I want to see which wires are which..........mine are all taped together........................

[foress_89]

Ok then no matter the color, you just have to check the connections on the starter, by that I mean, are they tight or loose. Loose connections are not good. Same thing for the battery. If you can move the terminals then the connections are not tight.

When the car finally cranks, how does it crank? I mean, normally or slowly? If it cranks like it should it could be the wiring. And also, you say most of the time it clicks but doesn't crank? You'd have to check if it's the starter itself that clicks or the solenoid.

[WhiteKnight]

When the starter is not working--I will get a click sound from it or the solenoid. And if I turn the key on 5 to 10 times--it will start. I'm guessing the solenoid is just having problems occasionally.The starter does seem to turn slow at all times also.All wire connexions are tight.

[sx moneypit]

Replace the starter if every thing else checks out OK.

[WhiteKnight]

I just had the starter rebuilt..........Is there a starter relay in the circuit? I was told there is a 30 amp relay.

[sx moneypit]

There is a starter relay located in the underhood fuse and relay box.

[vancouverbc]

The voltmeter shows I'm below 12 volts whenever I turn the key on.

Today.....I got the click sound......I turned the key 5 times and it started the 5th time

Its normal to have lower volts when you have a load but you need a new battery if jumping it starts the car everytime. or alternator/ clean battery cables etc.

[sx moneypit]

The first thing you need to do is get the battery checked.You could also have some bad connections at the battery or it could be a bad starter.

[WhiteKnight]

There is a starter relay located in the underhood fuse and relay box.

How can a relay pass enough wattage to the starter? If the relay is 30amps...that is only 360 watts.

[vancouverbc]

How can a relay pass enough wattage to the starter? If the relay is 30amps...that is only 360 watts.

there is only a 30 amp fuse for the ignition in the relay box. it sends power to the starter relay which is by the battery. not sure what amps the relay is rated for.

this tutorial has a pic of the relay and location:

zerothread?id=249966
Modified by vancouverbc at 2:11 AM 3/12/2010

[vancouverbc]

I forget specifically how it works but there is a second hot wire that comes directly from the battery. I think the blue relay by battery sends power from ignition to a relay that is built right into the starter. when the second relay opens the real juice flows directly from battery. the starter solenoid has to first engage which would be powered by blue relay.

regardless, you have a weak battery. measuring 12volts does not mean battery is good.

[WhiteKnight]

There might be a short. Because the battery always reads under 12volts and it is only 1 year old

[vancouverbc]

clean battery terminals. tighten battery cables. check fluid level of battery. check for battery leaks. check that alternator belt does not depress more than .5 inch when you push down on it with thumb. battery should read around 14 volts when engine is running if alterntor is healthy.

[WhiteKnight]

UPDATE: I just had the problem recently on HOT days.
I have been driving only once or twice a week so the battery seems a little weak. Then after driving on a hot day and starting the car about 5 times--it starts ok. But around the 6th start in the day--I just get clicking. After about 9 clicks-it usually starts again.
I"m thinking the battery is just never charged enough with infrequent driving.
Would a higher amp alternator charge it more during my infrequent 30 minute drives?

[moso]

ok this is simple. go to the starter and disconnect the smaller of the two wires, have someone rotate the ignition to the start position and see if you get voltage at that line (signal line) do this a few times just to make sure its not an intermitant problem. if it works than your relays and ignition crap are fine. if not your starter signal system is fubar and you need to address that. if you get voltage on that line and you still have problems than either...... 1) ground path from the battery to the motor is bad 2) the positive battery cable is bad 3) the battery is bad or under charged 4) the starter or the built in starter solenoid is bad. thats all there is to the starting system. if you dont think your drive is enough to sufficiently charge the battery i would suggest a battery tender before i would go messing with upgrading the alternator.