What causes the clicking sound before the Corolla fails to start?
4 Answers
The clicking sound without ignition may be due to insufficient voltage in the car battery. When the battery does not provide enough power, it cannot drive the engine to reach the starting speed. The clicking sound during startup is caused by the repeated engagement between the magnetic coil and the relay. Below are the reasons and solutions: 1. Battery aging: Insufficient voltage may be caused by the battery aging over time, leading to a continuous reduction in stored power. Additionally, some car owners listen to music or turn on the air conditioning when the car is not running, which significantly drains the battery, making it more prone to losing power. 2. Engine: Excessive carbon buildup in the intake pipe, throttle valve, idle motor, and other parts can prevent the engine from achieving the required air-fuel mixture ratio, causing the vehicle to fail to start and resulting in the clicking sound from the magnetic coil and starter relay. Similarly, insufficient fuel supply in the fuel system has effects similar to excessive carbon buildup in the intake pipe, also preventing the engine from achieving the required air-fuel mixture ratio. 3. Magnetic coil: A malfunction in the starter motor, primarily the magnetic coil's inability to maintain engagement, fails to provide the starting torque, leading to the engine's failure to start accompanied by a clicking sound. A fault in the ignition system directly prevents the engine from starting. If the ignition key remains in the start position, causing the starter relay to repeatedly engage, it will also produce a clicking noise. 4. Starter brush damage: If the starter brush is damaged, there won't be enough voltage (rated voltage), making it difficult for the starter to operate. Issues with the starter itself, such as the starter flywheel not swinging, can prevent the starter and engine from connecting. For fuel system faults, disconnect the oil pipe connector on the engine, turn on the ignition switch, and observe if there is fuel flow when the dashboard lights up (without the starter running). If there is fuel flow, it indicates a problem in the fuel supply system; if not, further checks on other parts are needed. The specific fault phenomenon requires inspection at a 4S shop or professional repair shop to identify the root cause.
My Corolla had the same issue last winter, first making a clicking sound and then refusing to start. The most common problem is a dead battery, especially for older batteries over three years old—the dashboard lights will dim. If jump-starting works, it's almost certainly a battery issue. Another possibility is a faulty starter motor; if the gear can't engage the flywheel, it'll just spin and click. Once, my car broke down in a parking lot, and the roadside assistance found that the starter motor's copper sleeve was worn out. A failing fuel pump can also cause clicking without starting—try turning the key to the ON position and listen for a humming sound under the rear seat. Another potential culprit is a bad ignition switch, which requires removing the steering wheel to inspect. I recommend trying a jump-start first. If that doesn’t work, call a tow truck—repeated cranking can damage the starter.
The clicking sound when starting a Corolla is mostly due to a starting system malfunction. I've handled similar cases before, and the key areas to check are: insufficient battery voltage causing the starter to spin weakly without engaging; starter gear slippage failing to turn the engine; or burnt starter relay contacts causing unstable power supply. You can observe the dashboard - if all indicator lights go out during ignition, it indicates severe battery depletion. If the dashboard is normal but the engine doesn't turn, it's likely a starter issue. I recommend first testing the battery voltage with a multimeter (should be above 12.6V when the engine is off), then checking for oxidation on battery terminals. If you can't handle it yourself, call the dealership - they'll bring diagnostic equipment to check trouble codes.
Common reasons for clicking sound but no start: 1. Aging battery with insufficient charge storage; 2. Faulty starter solenoid switch; 3. Poor contact in the starting circuit. Last time my car had this issue, it could start after a jump but recurred the next day, and testing revealed insufficient charging from the alternator. You can try these emergency methods: Open the hood and tap the starter housing (sometimes this can free a stuck gear); Tighten the battery terminals with a wrench; Disconnect the negative battery terminal for 5 minutes to reset the car's computer. However, for vehicles parked long-term, it might also be due to insufficient fuel pressure from gasoline evaporation. Try turning the key on and off several times to let the fuel pump build pressure before starting.
