What causes the Peugeot 308 to fail to start with a clicking sound?
3 Answers
The reasons why the Peugeot 308 fails to start and makes abnormal noises are as follows: Gear not in P position: Many car owners start the car without the gear in P position. This situation does not occur with manual transmissions, but mostly with automatic transmissions. This is usually caused by the owner's carelessness, as automatic transmissions do not require frequent operation of the gear lever, making it easy to forget to put it in P or leave it in N. When starting the car, simply ensure the gear is in P position. Steering wheel not unlocked: If the steering wheel is not straightened when parking and turning off the engine, it will automatically lock. When starting the car again, the steering wheel may not turn, causing the car to fail to start. The solution is to turn the steering wheel slightly in the locked direction, then turn the key and start the vehicle.
My Peugeot 308 won't start and is making a clicking sound? I just helped a neighbor diagnose a similar issue two days ago. The key is identifying where the sound originates—if rapid 'clicking' comes from the engine bay, it's likely the starter solenoid engaging and disengaging repeatedly. Common causes lie in the power supply: when battery voltage is insufficient, the starter can't turn the crankshaft and freewheeling creates this rhythmic noise; loose battery terminals causing poor contact may also trigger intermittent current. First test by turning on headlights—if they dim dramatically like candlelight upon activation, it strongly indicates a weak battery. If the battery was recently replaced, inspect starter circuit connections for corrosion (greenish deposits).
The ticking sound during ignition in older 308 models is quite common. As a mechanic with ten years of experience, I recommend a three-step troubleshooting process: First, check the battery voltage—it should be above 12.6V; if it's below 12V, it might not power the starter. Second, inspect the ground wire. The black grounding cable on the left side of the engine bay is prone to oxidation—remove it and sand the connection points with sandpaper. Third, check the starter relay, a blue square labeled '15' hidden in the fuse box. If it rattles when shaken, it needs replacement. The starter's carbon brushes can also cause ticking when worn, sounding like a telegraph machine—if so, it's time for a workshop inspection.
