If you car won't start and is making a fast click noise, you’re probably wondering what to do next.

Chances are it’s a battery issue. In this article, we're going to walk you through some of the common causes of battery failure, and advise you on how to proceed. We'll also discuss some of the other problems that could be the cause of your car making a fast clicking noise.

Car is Making Fast Clicking Noise and Won't Start - What Now?

Step 1: Check The Battery

This fast clicking sound usually means a dead battery.

A battery can die for many reasons, but the common causes are:

Interior light left on
Headlights left on
Old battery that cannot hold a charge for long
Cold Weather (cold coupled with a battery in poor health will most likely mean a dead battery)
Device or accessory left charging in the DC power port of the vehicle overnight
Alternator not charging battery effectively

The precise volts of a car battery can be checked using a voltmeter or multimeter, which can be purchased from a hardware store for around $15.

How To Check The Charge Of Your Battery

Turn the car off.
Remove the battery cover.
Connect (or contact) the positive lead on the voltmeter/multimeter to the positive terminal on the battery. Connect the negative lead to the negative terminal.
Observe voltmeter/multimeter (ensure multimeter is on correct setting). The reading should be between 12.4 and 12.7 volts. Anything less then 12.4 volts means your battery needs to be charged.

To deal with a dead battery, charge it or get it replaced

Step 2: Check Battery Cables, Charge If Possible

Sometimes it's as simple as having some corroded or loose wires to take care of.

If you notice that some of your battery terminal connections are corroded or worn down, you can test whether or not this is the issue by placing a screwdriver (with an insulated or wooden handle) between the connector and terminal post and twist it to keep it firmly in place.

If you try and start your vehicle now and it works, then you'll know your battery is fine but your cable connections need to be replaced or tightened.

If your battery is indeed dead, here’s how you can get it going:

Turn your car on, allowing it to idle. Do this in an open, outdoor space.
Connect the positive and negative leads of the voltmeter/multimeter to the positive and negative terminals on the battery.
Observe the reading. The battery should read 13.5+ volts, which means it is charging correctly. If the reading is less than 13.5 volts, the alternator is not working correctly, and your battery will be dead after a few trips (since it is not being charged).

Watch this video if you’re still not sure how to charge your battery

Step 3 - Replace The Battery

If you’re unable to boost the battery to get it started, you likely need to get it replaced.

Most car batteries will last an average of 2-7 years in normal use. Batteries vary in quality, but the best ones generally have longer lives. Extremely cold weather makes it more difficult for the battery, as it slows down the chemical reactions taking place.

Eventually, even the best ones wear out as all batteries lose their capacity over time. This means that the battery is less able to recover after each use and may go completely flat, leaving you unable to operate your vehicle. In some provinces, it is wise to obtain a battery blanket to keep your battery warmer on those long, cold Canadian winter nights.

A battery is not difficult to replace but many car owners choose to have a professional auto technician carry out this replacement.

A dead battery is common during cold weather. Begin charging the battery as soon as possible, as permanent damage can occur it it’s left dead for an extended period of time

Step 4 - Consider The Starter

While a bad battery is the most common issue when a car won't start and is making fast click noise, there are some other possible issues that you may want to look into.

Begin by examining the starter solenoid.

If you hear one loud click or no click rather than fast clicking noises when you start your car, you might have a problem with your starter solenoid, also known as the starter relay.

The starter solenoid is the part of your vehicle that switches a large electric current to the starter motor and sets the engine in motion. If your battery is fine but you're still having problems, you'll want to check the solenoid first.

If you have a metal tool with a rubber handle, you can touch both of the battery and starter posts with the metal, thus bridging the connection and allowing power to flow.

This will not work in every case, however, because solenoids are different and not all of them have easily accessed ports like this. If you go into your local auto parts store and find the solenoid you need for your car, they should be able to give you further instructions on how to install it.

Courtesy: https://startersolenoid.net/starter-solenoid/

An automotive care expert can check the starter solenoid quite easily

Step 5 - Check The Engine

Another probable reason for why your car won't start and is making a fast click noise is a locked up or frozen engine.

The lock problem can be solved by trying to kick off the engine manually with a breaker bar and wrench. In the case of a frozen engine, switch the car on and give the engine time to warm up gradually.

You can avoid this problem by refilling the coolant before the arrival of winter and not parking the car out in the open when the temperature is pretty low. Plugging you car into a battery charger every night will also help avoid this issue.

Car Won't Start, Fast Click Noise? Trust Hansma Automotive

If you've checked your battery, solenoid, and connections, and they're all in working order but you're still having trouble with your vehicle, it might be time to bring your vehicle to a local mechanic for inspection.

As a Tech-Net professional auto repair facility, Hansma Automotive is committed to serving you, our customer, with professional auto service repair at a reasonable cost.

We use quality auto parts, guaranteed coast to coast. We stand on sound business principles and uphold high ethical standards. Our goal is to make your automotive repair experience friendly and successful.

If you live in the Kitchener-Waterloo area and would like to have us take a look at your vehicle, you can just head on over to our book an Appointment page.

“Trustworthy, capable team with many years expertise and comprehensive capabilities. Kept all of my vehicles running into high 200 K's. Recommended! “

-Rudy Enter
Read more customer reviews here!

Car Won't Start And Is Making Fast Click Noise

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