What Causes Abnormal Noise and Failure to Start When Igniting the Car?

[PaulLynn]

The reasons for abnormal noise and failure to start when igniting the car are: 1. Excessive carbon buildup in the throttle; 2. The car is out of fuel; 3. The battery is dead; 4. Poor fuel quality; 5. No antifreeze added. The solutions for a car that won't start are: 1. Check if the car battery is dead; 2. Check if the ignition system is faulty; 3. Clean the engine; 4. Replace the starter. The correct steps for igniting a car are: 1. Insert the key and turn it to ACC, wait for about 2 to 3 seconds to allow the main power relay contacts to stabilize; 2. Turn the key to ON and wait for 6 to 10 seconds to allow the fuel pump relay to engage; 3. Turn the key to START until the engine runs continuously, then return it to ON.

[ElijahLee]

Don't panic if you encounter this situation. What worries me most is the wear of the starter gear. If you hear a 'clattering' sound when starting the engine, it's likely that the starter gear isn't meshing properly with the flywheel ring gear. This is particularly harmful to the car, as forcing the ignition could break the gears. Another possibility is a weak battery, but in this case, the lights would noticeably dim. If you hear a 'screeching' metal friction sound, it might be that the starter bearings have failed. I suggest you stop the engine immediately and have an experienced mechanic tap the starter housing with a screwdriver as an emergency measure, but the key is to get it to a repair shop for disassembly and inspection as soon as possible. Avoid continuous ignition attempts exceeding 10 seconds to prevent burning out the motor coils.

[AxelLee]

I've encountered this situation three times, and the scariest was that metallic tearing sound last winter. Focus on checking two areas: the starter and the battery terminals. Over time, the contact plates in the starter's solenoid switch can become burnt, causing a 'click-click-click' noise when engaged - that's the issue. If the battery terminals are severely oxidized, turning the key will produce a 'zizz—' electric current sound. Once, a colleague's car was found to have a crankshaft position sensor damaged by engine oil, preventing the engine from receiving any ignition signals. You can try tightening the battery terminal clamps yourself or use hot water to rinse off rust from the terminals. When buying replacement parts, remember to get OEM gears - aftermarket parts often have mismatched tooth profiles that can cause gear grinding.

[VanEleanor]

For this no-start condition with abnormal noises, I recommend checking in this order: 1) Listen to locate the sound - if the 'clicking' comes from the rear of the engine bay, 80% chance it's a stuck starter drive gear; 'whirring' may indicate starter freewheeling. 2) Check dashboard voltmeter - if below 12V, jumpstart or recharge needed. 3) Turn key while pressing accelerator - necessary for older cars with frozen carburetors or clogged injectors. 4) Inspect starter relay contacts for burning marks. Most shops now have scanners to read trouble codes - the weirdest case I've seen was anti-theft coil interference locking the start signal, solved by switching keys. Note: Loose battery terminals can also cause clicking noises.