Help: Car starts, but it first makes a series of fast clicking noises

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Oct 20, 2005
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Hey guys, had a question about a start up problem that just started happening yesterday.

When I start my car up, it goes through a long series of fast, repeating clicking noises. If I hold the key down, the car will go through about 2-3 seconds of the continuous clicking noise and then finally start.

Also, if it makes any difference, all the light indicators, radio, etc work when I turn my key to the notch right before the ignition notch.

I don't think it's the battery itself since I got a new battery in Aug 2010.

Is it a loose battery cable or something?

My car is a 1999 Honda Accord Coupe V6 with about 154K miles.

Thanks for any help.
 
Oct 20, 2005
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Appreciate the responses.

Next question naturally would be: how do I check the starter/solenoid or connections? Should I just google it or is it just an easy visual inspection that could tell me if there is a problem?
 

5150MyU

Senior member
Jan 16, 2011
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Clean/Check the battery terminals-you have to start somewhere.
It sounds like you have a bad connection at/to the battery.
Since you say it eventually starts-heat build up will cause a better connection.
 

5150MyU

Senior member
Jan 16, 2011
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I'm not trying to push you in the wrong direction as it is most likely your starter just some thing to keep in mind --google jumping a starter.
 

Zargon

Lifer
Nov 3, 2009
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Appreciate the responses.

Next question naturally would be: how do I check the starter/solenoid or connections? Should I just google it or is it just an easy visual inspection that could tell me if there is a problem?

depends, on my jeep you cant get just teh solenoid, its part of the starter, so if one goes you have to replace both.....

the real crux is location, if its hard to get to, its a sucky job
 
Oct 20, 2005
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Thanks everyone.

I will start w/ the battery terminals first and see if there's any build up on those, followed by checking the battery cable.

I started up my car this morning and there was no clicking at all. Seems like it only happens randomly.
 

kalrith

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2005
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Even though the battery is pretty new, it could still be that. Bad battery, bad battery cables, poor battery-cable connection, bad starter/solenoid: any of these could cause the clicking problem. Autozone will test batteries and starters for free, which helps you to not replace working parts. I recommend fully charging the battery before having it tested.

Also, I recommend fixing this problem quickly. I had the same problem and about a week after the first signs of clicking, my car wouldn't start at all. It really sucked changing the starter in Red Lobster parking lot instead of in my garage. I certainly didn't want to pay to have it towed to my house.
 

Zargon

Lifer
Nov 3, 2009
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give the battery cables a good yank.

I replaced the starter on my jeep only to still get stranded due to the ground cable being way overly corroded.
 
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