What Causes the Car to Make Abnormal Noises and Fail to Start?
2 Answers
Here are the reasons why a car makes abnormal noises and fails to start: 1. Low battery voltage. You can turn on the headlights and some electrical devices and check whether the instrument panel and interior lighting dim significantly during the startup process. If they do, it indicates insufficient battery voltage, which cannot drive the engine to reach the starting speed. The repeated engagement of the solenoid and starter relay will produce a clicking sound. 2. Excessive carbon buildup in the intake pipe. Excessive carbon deposits on the throttle valve and idle speed motor prevent the engine's air-fuel mixture from reaching the required ratio, causing the vehicle to fail to start. The repeated engagement of the solenoid and starter relay will produce a clicking sound. 3. Insufficient fuel supply in the fuel system. This phenomenon is essentially the same as excessive carbon buildup in the intake pipe, as it also prevents the engine's air-fuel mixture from reaching the required ratio, causing the vehicle to fail to start. 4. Faulty starter motor or related circuits. The solenoid coil cannot maintain engagement and cannot provide starting torque, resulting in the engine's failure to start and producing a clicking sound. 5. Ignition system failure. This directly causes the engine to fail to start. If the ignition key remains in the starting position, the starter relay will repeatedly engage, also producing a clicking sound.
When my car wouldn't start and made a clicking sound, I checked the starter motor and found the gear was stuck causing abnormal noise, while the battery voltage was insufficient. It's recommended to first test the battery with a multimeter. If it shows below 12V, try charging it or replacing it with a new one first, then check if the motor circuit is aged or worn. Don't rush to call a tow truck, as you can save some money by replacing parts yourself. Usually, avoid holding the ignition button for too long when parking.
